The threat comes after the rogue state claimed America is now in 'mortal
fear' after it carried out another successful ballistic missile
TYRANT
dictator Kim Jong-un has taunted Donald Trump boasting "America's fate
is in hands of North Korea" by vowing to turn US into a "sea of flames".
The threat came just a day after the North carried out yet
another successful ballistic missile over Japan claiming America is now
in "mortal fear" after proving it has the military power to strike US
territory.
Reuters
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to 'turn the American empire
into a sea in flames through sudden surprise attack from any region and
area'
Reuters
North Korea fired its latest missile over Japan - in what is being described as the country's farthest-reaching test
A spokesman for NK's ruling party said: "Through the two
successful ICBM test-launches the DPRK has put the whole U.S. mainland
in its striking range and clearly showed that it can turn the American
empire into a sea in flames through sudden surprise attack from any
region and area.
"Whatever means and methods the U.S. may employ, they will never work on the DPRK. The U.S. fate is in the hands of the DPRK.
"If the US and south Korean warmongers persist in reckless
action in disregard of our repeated warnings, we will decisively take a
strong retaliatory step."
Meanwhile, an editorial run in one of Korea's state-run
newspapers described the US as a "war merchant living on human blood,"
while the official newspaper said the US "would meet horrible nuclear
strike and miserable and final ruin" in the event of an attack.
Footage released on North Korean TV yesterday captured the
launch of an intermediate range Hwasong-12 which is capable of reaching
the US island of Guam.
Images of the Kim Jong-un were released showing him gleefully watching the missile test.
The brash North Korean tyrant boasted of his "shining
victory" and vowed that his final goal is "equilibrium of real force
with US".
Reuters
Kim Jong-un's cheers after the launch - in pictures released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency
Reuters
The North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has carried out a number of missile tests in recent month, flouting international sanctions
The rocket, believed to be a intercontinental ballistic
missile (ICBM), flew for about 19 minutes over a distance of about 2,300
miles - far enough to reach the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam, which is 2,100 miles from North Korea.
Japan warned its residents to "duck and cover" as furious
Americans vowed an "ironclad" response to Pyongyang's latest military
test.
Now in a typically unrepentant statement from North Korea,
they bragged their military display was met with "admiration", not
condemnation.
Reuters
The NK leader watches from a distance as his country once again shows off its military power in a new missile launch
Military sources have revealed Kim's latest missile could easily reach Guam
Pictures released yesterday by the country's Korean Central
News Agency show Kim and officials watching and then celebrating the
launch of a Hwasong-12 missile.
"People from across the world have expressed admiration at
the DPRK's bold pluck and great potentiality," claimed the NK state
media.
"Media of many countries are zealously reporting about the
DPRK's nuclear attack capability, which has reached the high level able
to ensure the accuracy and freely control the striking power according
to targeted object and purpose, and about the failure of the US policy
toward the DPRK.
EPA
South Korea fired a Hyunmoo-II missile towards the East Sea following Kim's launch
Tensions on the Korean peninsula are now at breaking point
"The DPRK has won a shining victory in the standoff with the U.S.
"Now no one can disregard the immense national strength and
potentiality of the DPRK and deny its strategic position as a
responsible nuclear weapons state with a great clout.
"The U.S. has tightened sanctions and blockade by mobilising
its vassal forces to stifle the DPRK. But it could not check the
advance of the army and people of the DPRK.
"The U.S., styling itself as a superpower while boasting of
its strength before other big powers, is in mortal fear of the DPRK."
Japan's defence minister Itsunori Onodera said he believed North Korea has the U.S. territory in mind with its recent nuclear missile tests. as he warned that "similar actions (by the North) would continue".
"We cannot assume North Korea's intention, but given what it has said, I think it has Guam in mind," he said.
Pyongyang has constantly threatened to hit the US Pacific
territory - home to the Andersen Air Force Base - with missiles bringing
"enveloping fire".
Physicist
David Wright, of the Union of Concerned Scientists, said today:
"North
Korea demonstrated that it could reach Guam with this missile, although
the payload the missile was carrying is not known" and its accuracy was
in doubt."
The US Pacific Command confirmed the launch was an
intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) but insisted it posed no
threat to Guam or to the American mainland.
However, officials reiterated that Washington's commitments to the defence of its territories and allies remained "ironclad”.
South Korea's Defense Ministry said the country's military
conducted a live-fire drill of a Hyunmoo-2 ballistic missile in response
to the North's latest aggressive move.
North Korean military guard outpost with its national flag, left, is seen in Paju today
AP:Associated Press
North Korea conducted its longest-ever test flight of a ballistic missile on Friday
Kim and
his defiant state's act provoked wide-scale condemnation from Western
powers as it was announced the UN Security Council would hold an
emergency meeting today.
The missile flew over northern Japan and smashed down in the Sea of Japan about 2,000km to the east off Hokkaido.
Seoul said it was the 19th launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea this year.
The missile was the second to be sent over Japan by the hermit state in less than a month and the 19th test this year, according to Seoul.
After the launch, the South Korean military also carried out
a live tank fire exercise along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Paju.
South Korea’s president has said the country possesses the power to destroy its northern neighbour “beyond recovery."
Moon Jae-in also said dialogue with the Kim was “impossible
in a situation like this”, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported.
Mr Moon said: “In case North Korea undertakes provocations
against us or our ally, we have the power to destroy [them] beyond
recovery.
“Dialogue is impossible in a situation like this.
International sanctions and pressure will further tighten to force North
Korea to choose no other option but to step forward on the path to
genuine dialogue.”
AP:Associated Press
A currency trader watches a monitor at the foreign exchange dealing room in Seoul, South Korea
AP:Associated Press
Asian stocks were mostly lower Friday after North Korea fired off another missile over Japan
He added the country's military had been ordered "to prepare
a stern measure that can effectively counter North Korea's increasing
nuclear and military threats."
Moon also promised to closely analyse and prepare for new
possible North Korean threats, like EMP (electro-magnetic pulse) and
biochemical attacks.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis both called the ICBM launch a reckless act.
Mr Abe said: “The international community should unite
against such conduct to send a clear message … The recent sanctions and
resolutions must be fully complied with and implemented. That is now
ever more clear.
“If North Korea continues to walk this road, there will be no bright future. We need to get North Korea to understand that."
Getty Images - Getty
South Korean army's K-55 Self-Propelled Artillery participate in a live fire exercise today
EPA
South Korea fears an invasion from its noisy neighbours
Reuters
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga speaks at a news conference about North Korea's missile launch in Tokyo, Japan
EPA
Despot Kim Jong-un threatened to "sink" Japan
But Mr Suga said there's no evidence of any missile fragments landing on Japanese territory.
The US military said the missile did not pose a threat to its territory of Guam.
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis branded North Korea 'reckless' after the launch.
Asked about a possible American military response, Mattis said, "I
don't want to talk on that yet." after he said that the missile launch
had "put millions of Japanese in duck and cover."
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said: "North Korea has conducted yet another illegal missile launch.
"The UK and the international community have condemned the aggressive
and illegal actions of the North Korean regime, and the succession of
missile and nuclear tests.
"We stand firmly by Japan and our other international partners.
"We are working to mobilise world opinion with the aim of achieving a
diplomatic solution to the situation on the Korean peninsula.
"This week the most stringent UN sanctions regime placed on any
nation in the 21st century was imposed on North Korea, after being
unanimously agreed at the UN Security Council.
"These measures now need to be robustly enforced. We urge all states
to play their part in changing the course North Korea is taking."
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was also quick to condemn the launch.
"This is another dangerous, reckless, criminal act by the
North Korean regime, threatening the stability of the region and the
world and we condemn it, utterly," he said in an interview with Sky
News.
"This is a sign, I believe, of their frustration at the
increased sanctions on North Korea, recently imposed by the Security
Council. It's a sign that the sanctions are working."
Mr Turnbull later fronted the media, where he addressed whether further sanctions would increase the risk of attack on Japan.
"I don't accept that. The critical thing is to continue to
apply economic pressure on North Korea to bring the regime to it
senses," he said.
"Nobody wants to see a war on the Korean Peninsula. If
Kim Jong-un were to start a war, to attack the United States or one
of its allies, he would be signing a suicide note.