Trump calls Kim ‘Rocket Man’ on a ‘suicide mission’

President Trump threatened to destroy North Korea on Tuesday in his first address to the United Nations General Assembly, referring to North Korea leader Kim Jong Un as a “Rocket Man” on a suicide mission.

“Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime,” Trump told the gathering of world leaders and ambassadors. 

“No nation on Earth has an interest in seeing this band of criminals arm itself with nuclear weapons and missiles,” he said.

“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 first referred to Kim as “Rocket Man” on Sunday when mentioning a call he had with South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

I spoke with President Moon of South Korea last night. Asked him how Rocket Man is doing. Long gas lines forming in North Korea. Too bad!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 17, 2017

The president’s comments come after the United Nations Security Council last week for a second time voted unanimously to increase sanctions on North Korea over its recent missile tests. Trump thanked China and Russia, two countries that have been reluctant to rein in Pyongyang’s aggression, for voting in favor of the sanctions. 

{mosads}

North Korea in July conducted two intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests, and earlier this month said it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb than can be placed on an ICBM. 

The Trump administration in recent months has expressed frustration with North Korea’s intransigence, with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley saying Kim is “begging for war.”

“The United States is ready, willing and able, but hopefully this will not be necessary,” Trump said in New York. “That’s what the United Nations is all about. That’s what the United Nations is for. Let’s see how they do.”