Peter King: U.S. could preemptively attack North Korea

"I believe we have the right to take preemptive action," he said

Published April 3, 2013 4:46PM (EDT)

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y, says that the U.S. could preemptively launch a strike on North Korea, if provoked. "If we have good reason to believe there's going to be an attack, I believe we have the right to take preemptive action to protect ourselves," he said on CNN.

"I don't think we have to wait until Americans are killed or wounded or injured in any way," King continued. "I'm not saying we should be rushing into war, don't get me wrong, but if we have solid evidence that North Korea's going to take action, then I think we have a moral obligation and an absolute right to defend ourselves."

Watch, via The Hill:


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

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House Republicans New York North Korea Nuclear Weapons Peter King Video