Trump warns he may have no choice but to totally destroy N. Korea
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to North Korea Tuesday, saying if pressed, he may have no choice but to "totally destroy" the belligerent regime.
In an address to the U.N. General Assembly in New York, broadcast live, Trump singled out North Korea as a rogue regime that has violated every principle on which the global body is based.
"The United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea," he said.
Trump also said the North's leader, Kim Jong-un, is on a path to destruction.
"Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime," he said. "The United States is ready, willing and able, but hopefully this will not be necessary."
Trump blamed the regime for the deaths of millions of North Koreans as well as the imprisonment, torture, killing and oppression of "countless more."
"Now North Korea's reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles threatens the entire world with unthinkable loss of human life," he said.
hague@yna.co.kr
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