North Korean FM at UN launches tirade against Trump

North Korea ’s foreign minister assailed US President Donald Trump at the United Nations on Saturday , deriding him as a “ mentally deranged ” leader whose threats had increased the chances of military confrontation .


Ri Yong - ho told the General Assembly that Trump’s vow to “ totally destroy ” his country if necessary had made “ our rockets ’ visit to the entire US mainland all the more inevitable. 


Describing Trump as a “ mentally deranged person full of megalomania , ” Ri said the US leader who “ holds the nuclear button ” posed “ the gravest threat to international peace and security today .”


In his first address to the General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump called leader Kim Jong- Un a “ Rocket Man ” on a “ suicide mission, ” prompting Kim to warn in turn that the US president would “ pay dearly ” for his threat .


Ri accused Trump of turning the United Nations into a “ gangsters ’ nest where money is respected and bloodshed is the order of the day, ” and of insulting Kim .


“ None other than Trump himself is on a suicide mission, ” he declared .


The North Korean nuclear crisis has dominated this year’s gathering of world leaders at the United Nations amid fears that the heated rhetoric could accidentally trigger a war .


North Korea in recent weeks detonated its sixth nuclear bomb and has test- fired intercontinental missiles — saying it needs to defend itself against hostility from the United States and its allies .


Nuclear hammer of justice

The United States led a push at the United Nations for 
tough sanctions that were adopted on September 11 , and has imposed unilateral measures to punish firms that do business with North Korea .


Calling the sanctions resolutions unjustified , Ri said that Pyongyang was left with no other choice but to respond with the “ nuclear hammer of justice.”


He stressed that North Korea ’s nuclear drive was aimed at developing a “ war deterrent ” and declared that his country was a “ responsible nuclear weapon state .”


North Korea will take “ preemptive action ” if the United 
States and its allies attempt to carry out a “ decapitating operation on our headquarters or military attack against 
our country , ” he said.


Declaring that the missile and nuclear tests were a source 
of “ prestige ” for his country , Ri said sanctions would not succeed in forcing his government to change course.


Ri then met for 30 minutes with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres , who expressed concern over the escalating tensions and emphasized the need for a political solution , a UN spokesman said.


Just hours before Ri took the UN podium, US bombers flew 
off North Korea ’s east coast , flying the furthest north of the demilitarized zone of any US aircraft .


The Pentagon said the mission was a “ demonstration of
 US resolve and a clear message that the president has many military options to defeat any threat .”