At UNGA, Trump Threatens to Destroy N Korea, Mocks Kim Jong-Un
“He will speak in extremely tough terms about the North Korean menace,” a White House official said.
US President Donald Trump made his maiden speech at the UN on Tuesday. He threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea and mocked leader Kim Jong-un. Trump emphasised the need for nations’ “sovereignty” and asserted that he will always put “America first.” Trump also met French President Emmanuel Macron, who also made his UN debut. He will meet with leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
- President Donald Trump made his maiden speech in the UN General Assembly on Tuesday
- He threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea and spoke about the need to take down the Kim Jong-un regime
- He also mocked Kim, saying that the “Rocket man is on a suicide mission for himself and his regime”
- Trump spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier on Monday and committed to keep up pressure on North Korea by enforcing UN resolution
Trump Threatens to Destroy North Korea, Mocks 'Rocket Man' Kim Jong-un
US President Donald Trump escalated his standoff with North Korea over its nuclear challenge on Tuesday, threatening to "totally destroy" the country of 26 million people and mocking its leader, Kim Jong-un, as a "rocket man.
"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," Trump told the 193-member world body.
As loud, startled murmurs filled the hall, Trump described Kim in an acid tone, saying, "Rocket man is on a suicide mission for himself and his regime."
Trump did not back down, instead later tweeting out the line in his speech vowing to destroy North Korea if needed.
Trump Attacks Iran
Turning to Iran, Trump called the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by his predecessor, Barack Obama, an embarrassment and hinted that he may not recertify the agreement when it comes up for a mid-October deadline.
"We cannot abide by an agreement if it provides cover for the eventual construction of a nuclear program," he said. He said the Iranian government "masks a corrupt dictatorship behind the false guise of a democracy."
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted a withering response:
Trump Speaks Against Terrorism
Trump said it is time to expose those countries that support terrorist organisations like Al Qaeda, Taliban, etc.
He also criticized the Bashar al-Assad government of Syria for using chemical weapons against its citizens. Trump however, did not make any mention of the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar’s Rakhine state where over 4 lakhs of Rohingyas have been affected due to the ongoing military crackdown.
"UN Members Should Take Down the Kim Regime"
Taking a tough stance against North Korea he said that it is time for all the UN members to take down the Kim regime. “It is time for North Korea to realize that de-nuclearisation is its only acceptable future,” he said.
"America First"
In his debut speech at the United Nations General Assembly, US President Donald Trump stressed on importance of state sovereignty.
He also said that he will put “America first just like you and the leaders of your countries will and should always put your countries first.”
Watch Donald Trump's First Address at the UNGA live:
North Korean "Menace"
President Donald Trump is expected to speak forcefully about the threat posed by North Korea during his first address to the United Nations on Tuesday while knocking those he sees as enabling Pyongyang.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not elaborate, but his mention of "enablement" was likely a reference to China, which has frustrated Trump by failing to rein in North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
North Korea's nuclear tests and missile launches and military posturing by the US and South Korea have stirred global tensions.
Trump spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier on Monday and committed to keep up pressure on North Korea by enforcing UN resolutions, the White House said.
Trump to Go Hard Against Iran
Trump is also expected to go hard against Iran during the speech that the official said would espouse the importance of state sovereignty.
Border control, trade and international agreements that are unfavorable to the United States represented threats to US sovereignty, the official said.
The theme is consistent with Trump's "America First" philosophy that helped him win the election last year.
Trump has been critical of international organisations, including NATO and the United Nations. On Monday, he criticised the 193-nation body for a bloated bureaucracy and mismanagement, but said reforms would help it emerge stronger and more effective.
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