President Trump’s recent comments about North Korea were “a declaration of war,” the country’s foreign minister said Monday, according to Reuters.
“In light of the declaration of war by Trump, all options will be on the operating table of the Supreme leadership of DPRK,” Ri Yong Ho said in New York.
Trump ratcheted up his warnings to North Korea on Saturday, suggesting that it “won’t be around much longer” if it continues its provocative rhetoric.
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“Just heard Foreign Minister of North Korea speak at U.N.,” Trump tweeted. “If he echoes thoughts of Little Rocket Man, they won’t be around much longer!”
Responding to Trump’s statement during an address to the United Nations, Ri said Pyongyang reserved the right to retaliate.
“Given the fact that this comes from someone who is currently holding the seat of the United States presidency, this is clearly a declaration of war,” Ri said, according to a statement provided by Reuters.
He said the world should remember the U.S. first declared war on North Korea.
“Since the U.S. declared war on our country we will have every right to make countermeasures, including the right to shoot down the United States strategic bombers even when they’re not yet inside the airspace border of our country,” he continued.
“The question of who won’t be around much longer will be answered then.”
Tensions between the U.S. and North Korea have mounted in recent months, creating an international crisis that shows no signs of easing.
The Trump administration last week announced new sanctions on North Korea in what was just the latest attempt to pressure Kim Jong Un to abandon his nuclear program.
The U.S. over the weekend flew B-1B bombers and F-15 fighter jets in international airspace east of North Korea — the farthest point north of the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea that U.S. fighters or bombers have ever flown.
During his address to the U.N., Trump said he’s willing to use force against Kim if necessary.
“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.”
— This report was updated at 12:25 p.m.