US threatens to ‘utterly destroy’ NKorea regime

UNITED NATIONS: The United States warned that North Korea’s leadership would be “utterly destroyed” if war broke out as it called on countries to cut all diplomatic and trade ties with North Korea – including Chinese oil shipments to Pyongyang.

Washington urged tough action at an emergency meeting of the Security Council held Wednesday to respond to North Korea’s launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

“The dictator of North Korea made a choice yesterday that brings the world closer to war, not farther from it,” US Ambassador Nikki Haley told the council.

“If war comes, make no mistake: The North Korean regime will be utterly destroyed.”

US President Donald Trump derided Kim Jong-Un as a “sick puppy” and threatened “major” new sanctions after Pyongyang tested its third ICBM – which it claimed was capable of striking anywhere in the United States.

The test ended a two-month lull in missile tests that had raised hopes for the opening of diplomatic talks. The North said the weapon could land anywhere in the continental United States – a claim some experts said was feasible.

Kim said the test of the Hwasong- 15 weapons system had helped his country achieve the goal of becoming a full nuclear power, sparking global condemnation.

“We call on all nations to cut off all ties with North Korea,” Haley told the council.

She said Trump had called Chinese President Xi Jinping and urged him to “cut off the oil from North Korea,” a move that would deal a crippling blow to North Korea’s economy.

“That would be a pivotal step in the world’s effort to stop this international pariah,” she said, warning that if Beijing does not act, “we can take the oil situation into our own hands.”

The United States earlier pressed for a full oil embargo on North Korea after it tested its most powerful nuclear bomb to date in September, but dropped that demand in negotiations on a sanctions resolution with China.