Sen. Lugar Says North Korea Could Face Military Consequences

ByABC News via logo
July 9, 2006, 10:02 AM

July 9, 2006 — -- Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., says there is growing concern that North Korea's refusal to cease its nuclear program could destabilize the entire region and, with it, the world community.

"By the time we finish, all six powers [in Asia] may have a nuclear program if we are not successful," Lugar said an exclusive appearance on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos."

In an exclusive interview with ABC News correspondent Dan Harris on assignment in Seoul, Christopher Hill, assistant secretary of state and the President Bush's envoy to the region, echoed those concerns.

"We have a situation where this country has simply created, has really disturbed the peace in this region," Hill said. "So how will the other countries react to this? Could missile programs in North Korea cause an arms race among some other countries? That's a real concern."

When Stephanopoulos asked if the situation with North Korea had become more dangerous under President Bush's watch, Lugar admitted, "Perhaps they have become more dangerous." But he also argued, especially given a greater dialogue with China, "the possibilities of dealing with it are enhanced."

Lugar, chair of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that if diplomatic efforts fall short and if North Korea threatens the U.S., military action could be considered.

"It is probable that that will be heavily considered," he told Stephanopoulos, ABC News' chief Washington correspondent.

For the time being, however, the Indiana Republican defended the president.

"I think the president has at least proscribed the right course -- the six-party talks," he said.

Lugar rejected direct talks with North Korea, as the Bush administration has also advocated.

"I think, unfortunately, the shots eliminated the effort of that," Lugar said, before calling on China to "get serious" with the defiant country on the list of the president's "axis of evil".

"There will not be regime change while the Chinese are shoring up the North Koreans," Lugar said, suggesting they may have been "ambivalent" toward the recent series of test missiles out of North Korea.