McCain looks to China for help on N. Korea

Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), a leading Republican voice on international affairs, on Sunday called on China to rein in North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

{mosads}McCain characterized Kim’s recent execution of his uncle as “aberrational behavior” and warned he represents an international threat because of his nuclear weapons program.

“I think this young man is dangerous,” said McCain on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“This must be a huge embarrassment for China,” he added, noting that Kim’s uncle, Jang Song-thaek, had served as a primary liaison to China.

“I think it’s very obvious this young man is capable of some very aberrational behavior and given the toys that he has I think it’s very dangerous and you would think that the Chinese would understand that as well,” he said. “They’ve got to rein this young man in and they can.”

McCain called on China to get more involved in efforts to curb North Korea’s aggressive behavior on the international stage in a television interview last month.

He argued on CBS’s “Face the Nation” that it’s in China’s interest not to have a “nuclear-armed aggressive Korea.” 

“We’re not asking for an act of charity,” he said last month. “They control their economy. They control a whole lot of things. Really they’re the only nation that has influence.”

McCain on CNN Sunday said the execution of Jang, who was a mentor to Kim, raised red flags about the North Korean leader.