A George W. Bush-era State Department official on Sunday slammed a tweet from President Trump that argued South Korea is learning that appeasement will not work with its northern neighbor.
“This is no time to lecture South Korea or suspend free trade agreement,” Nicholas Burns tweeted.
“Best way to deter North Korea is to stand firmly with Seoul+Tokyo.”
{mosads}Burns’s criticism of Trump comes after North Korea said Sunday that it successfully tested a miniaturized hydrogen bomb that can be placed on an intercontinental ballistic missile.
“South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!” Trump wrote early Sunday.
Trump also confirmed Saturday that he is discussing the free trade agreement with South Korea with his advisers.
Trump in the last month has escalated his rhetoric about North Korea, which conducted two intercontinental ballistic missile tests in July.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who was elected in May, during his campaign said he would push for discussions with North Korea.