NORTH Korea would be subjected to a strong US response in case of an attack against the continental United States, former Representative Jason Chaffetz said.
North Korea's persistently aggressive rhetoric against the United States would spark an all-out response from President Donald Trump in case of an attack.
But Mr Chaffetz said President Trump's decision to visit with President Vladimir Putin during his tour of Asia could help smooth the relationship with Russia, pushing the country and China to exercise their calming influence on their rogue neighbour.
Speaking to Fox News, he said: "Look, we need to improve the relationship. They, the Russians, also touch North Korea – if you look at the map: obviously I think the Chinese have the biggest influence but the Russians are also right there in the region.
"You want them to understand that we are going to what it takes to protect the security of the United States of America. I don’t think the Russians and the Chinese like seeing three carrier groups, they don’t like to see the THAAD missile system in place.
"There’s a lot of things they don’t like to see. There’s a way to solve that if they can take down the temperature and the blood pressure of what is going on in North Korea."
North Korea has upped its hostile approach against the US and its Asian allies, sparking fears World War 3 could be declared at any moment.
Mr Trump is expected to use his visit to four key Asian countries to create a united front againstKim Jong-un and ask Mr Putin to join the leaders of Japan and South Korea in pressing China to do more to reign in the trigger-happy despot.
Mr Trump has ramped up his tough rhetoric against North Korea after arriving in Japan for a 12-day trip - the longest Asian tour by a US leader since George HW Bush in 1992.
He warned that Washington and its allies are prepared to defend freedom and that "no dictator" should underestimate US resolve.
Meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe come against a backdrop of heightened tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests.
South Korean intelligence found North Korea is ready to carry out yet another nuclear test despite suffering major damage to its main testing facility in Punggye-ri.
Seoul's National Intelligence Service said: "There is a possibility of a new missile launch given the active movement of vehicles around the missile research institute in Pyongyang."
Upon his arrival in Japan, Mr Trump started a new chapter of his war of words with Kim Jong-un, telling troops stationed at Yakota Air Base that North Korea should not "underestimate" the US.
He said: "No dictator, no regime, no nation should underestimate American resolve. We will never yield, never wave and never falter in defence of our freedom."
North Korea responded to Mr Trump's arrival to Asia with a new set of threat against the United States, saying the President will receive "merciless punishment."
The sabre-rattling between Mr Trump and Kim Jong-un amid the fears of World War 3 has been a cause of concern around the world.
