North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un warned to take the “highest level of countermeasure in history” against President Trump after he told the UN General Assembly the US will have no choice but to “totally destroy” the North if forced to defend itself or its allies.
The hermit state’s top diplomat, Ri Yong-ho later added that such action could involve a powerful test of a hydrogen bomb in the Pacific.
In a rare statement from the dictator, Kim Jong-un promised Trump would “pay dearly” for the threats, and said the US leaders comments were reflective of “mentally deranged behaviour.”
US Secretary State, Rex Tillerson, said: “We will continue our efforts in the diplomatic arena, but all of our military options is on the table.
“And once we can assess the nature of this threat, the president will make a decision regarding the appropriate actions.”
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This comes after Trump has announced new sanctions on North Korea that aim to cut off sources of revenue for the regime’s nuclear and missile programs.
Mr Tillerson added: “That will be the President’s decision. There will be assembled and there is assembled on a standing basis a National Security Council that meets on each of these issues to advise the president. Ultimately, it will be his decision.”
He said the measures are the “strongest economic sanctions ever” to target Kim.
The Secretary of State continued: “He is being tested with these sanctions. Voices from every corner of the world are calling on him to cease his program, come to the table and let’s talk about the future of North Korea and the North Korean people.”
Japan’s defence minister Itsunori Onodera said the country must ready itself for the sudden escalation in tensions and be prepared for a missile launch.
Trump said on Twitter: “Kim Jong-un of North Korea, who is obviously a madman who doesn’t mind killing or starving his people, will be tested like never before!”
Donald Trump’s UN ambassador Nikki Haley and the President himself have said “the time for talk is over”, despite China, Russia, and other members of the US administration claiming dialogue remains the main aim.
Dr Colin Alexander, professor of political communications at Nottingham Trent University, said North Korea knows the US could destroy it, adding Kim Jong-un’s growing nuclear programme is merely a deterrent.
He told Mail Online: “The reason North Korea wants to develop nuclear weapons is because the United States has weapons that can strike North Korea.
“Nuclear weapons are not meant to be used. This is about creating a credible threat – a deterrent.
“Kim saw what happened to Saddam, he saw what happened to Gaddafi, and he believes rightly or wrongly that acquiring nuclear weapons will stop that from happening to him.”