Guterres urges peaceful solution on North Korea

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging policymakers "not to miss the opportunity of a peaceful resolution" to the standoff over North Korea's nuclear program, saying a military solution would have "catastrophic consequences."

Guterres told the Munich Security Conference on Friday that the world faces the threat of a nuclear conflict for the first time since the end of the Cold War because of events surrounding North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

He said it's necessary to ensure that the U.S. and North Korea can "come together and have a meaningful discussion." He added: "I believe the United States is ready to do so. ... It's absolutely essential to keep the pressure over North Korea and to convince North Korea that it is absolutely vital for them to come to the table."