Donald Trump issues stark warning to North Korea
‘Do not underestimate us,’ US president tells Pyongyang
US President Donald Trump has used an address to South Korea’s parliament to issue a dire warning to North Korea over its continuing efforts to develop its nuclear weapons programme.
Trump urged all nations to join the US in isolating “the brutal regime of North Korea”. He said: “Today, I hope I speak not only for our countries, but for all civilised nations, when I say to the North: Do not underestimate us, and do not try us.”
The president also directly addressed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during the speech, saying: “The weapons you are acquiring are not making you safer, they are putting your regime in grave danger.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“North Korea is a country ruled by a cult,” the president continued. “At the centre of this military cult is a deranged belief in the ruler’s destiny to rule as a parent protector over a conquered Korean Peninsula.”
Trump “cast himself as more willing than previous US presidents to use military force against Pyongyang should they continue threatening the United States and its allies”, says CNN.
He “warned Pyongyang that while it may have interpreted past restraint by the US as weakness, there was now a different US administration in place”, reports the BBC.
Earlier in the day, Trump was forced to cancel a “surprise” visit to the heavily fortified Korean demilitarised zone (DMZ).
“Marine One left Seoul at daybreak and flew most of the way to the DMZ, but was forced to turn back due to poor weather conditions,” according to ABC News.
Trump is in South Korea for a two-day visit, part of a longer tour of Asian nations that will see him arrive in China later today.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The de-extinction process to bring woolly mammoths back to life
Under the Radar Biotechnology start-up's stem cell research brings possibility of genetically engineered species a step closer
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Today's political cartoons - March 17, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - history repeating, the Pope's white flag, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: Derelict homes, Welsh mines, and vinyl
Podcast What can we do about abandoned property? Are old mines still doing us harm? And what do LP sales tell us about the economy?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Trump's presidential run: a bad bet for Republicans?
Talking Point The GOP is taking a 'big gamble' on former president's 2024 White House bid
By The Week UK Published
-
Iran at the crossroads: have the mullahs lost their grip?
In Depth Iranian voters delivered a 'stinging rebuke' to the regime in parliamentary elections
By The Week UK Published
-
'Grandstanding about the existential threat climate change poses'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
The state of Russian opposition after Navalny
The Explainer Potential challengers to Vladimir Putin have been jailed, exiled or barred from ballot
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump clinch nominations
speed read The current and former president have each secured enough delegates for an election rematch
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'TikTok is a national-security threat'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Haiti leader agrees to exit amid growing chaos
speed read Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his resignation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump allies fold RNC into Trump campaign
speed read The new leaders of the Republican National Committee fired more than 60 of the RNC's 200 employees
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published