North Korea has reportedly dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to “totally destroy” the country, describing the warning as an impotent threat.
The response came shortly after Trump, in his first address to the United Nations General Assembly, issued one of his strongest warnings yet against North Korea over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.
A North Korean news outlet reportedly mocked Trump’s remarks, describing him as an “international shouting magnate” and ridiculing his threat against the country.
Trump had used his 41-minute address to warn North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that the United States would have no choice but to take drastic action if Pyongyang continued with its nuclear and missile programmes.
“Rocket man is on a suicide mission for himself and his regime,” Trump said, referring to Kim.
“Unless North Korea backs down, we will have no choice than to totally destroy North Korea,” he added.
Trump’s remarks drew murmurs from the green-marble General Assembly hall as world leaders gathered for the annual United Nations meeting.
North Korea’s continuing development and testing of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles had already heightened tensions internationally, with several countries calling for diplomatic and economic pressure on Pyongyang.
At the time of Trump’s speech, the North Korean mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to requests for comment. However, a junior North Korean diplomat remained seated in the delegation’s front row during the address, according to the North Korean U.N. mission.
Trump urged member states of the United Nations to work together to isolate the government of Kim Jong Un until it abandons what he described as its hostile conduct.
He also warned that North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles posed a serious threat to the international community and could result in devastating loss of life.
In what appeared to be a reference to China, North Korea’s major trading partner at the time, Trump criticised countries that continued to maintain commercial and other relationships with Pyongyang.
“It is an outrage that some nations would not only trade with such a regime but would arm, supply and financially support a country that imperils the world with nuclear conflict,” he said.
Trump also used the address to criticise Iran, describing the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated under former President Barack Obama as an embarrassment.
He indicated that he was considering whether to continue certifying the agreement when the next deadline for a decision approached in October.
“I don’t think you’ve heard the last of it,” Trump said.
He further accused Iran of exporting violence and described the country as an economically depleted rogue state.
The address formed part of Trump’s effort to outline his “America First” approach to foreign policy, with emphasis on protecting U.S. interests while encouraging other nations to take greater responsibility for their own security and development.
Trump, who had entered the White House about eight months earlier, told leaders of the 193-member international body that the United States did not seek to impose its will on other nations and would respect their sovereignty.
“I will defend America’s interests above all else,” he said. “But in fulfilling our obligations to other nations, we also realise it’s in everyone’s interest to seek a future where all nations can be sovereign, prosperous and secure.”
Credit: NAN
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