By Steve Holland and Jeff Mason
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 19 (Reuters) – U.S.President Donald Trump warned on Tuesday that the United States will be forcedto “totally destroy” North Korea unless Pyongyang backs down from its nuclearstandoff, mocking North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as a “rocket man” on asuicide mission.
Loud murmurs filled the green-marbled U.N. General Assembly hall when Trump issued his sternest warning yet to North Korea, whose ballistic missile launches and nuclear tests have rattled the globe.
UnlessNorth Korea backs down, he said, “We will have no choice than to totally destroy North Korea.”
“Rocketman is on a suicide mission for himself and his regime,” he said.
He urged United Nations member states to work together to isolate the Kim government until it ceases its “hostile” behavior.
A junior North Korean diplomat remained in the delegation’s front-row seat forTrump’s speech, the North Korean U.N. mission said.
