Speaking Kim Jong-un’s Language

With its missile launch over Japan, North Korea’s belligerence has entered a dangerous new level — raising a dire question for President Trump: What to do now?

The missile was the first ever fired by lunatic leader Kim Jong-un over a core Japanese island, and Tokyo warned citizens to take cover. And though the North also launched rockets over Japan in 1998 and 2009, it at least pretended (unlike on Tuesday) those carried satellites.

The launch also follows two North Korean ICBM tests that showed Kim’s ability to hit continental-US soil. And after his threats to target the US territory of Guam.

Even Chinese officials said the North’s latest escalation was veering “past the point of no return.” After all, Pyongyang is thought to have at least 20 nukes, and is at least nearing the know-how to mount them on rockets.

For Trump, the pressure to respond is now sky-high, especially in the wake of his vow to unleash “fire and fury” if Kim keeps up his provocations.

Trump gets it: “The world has received North Korea’s latest message loud and clear. This regime has signaled its contempt for its neighbors . . . and for minimum standards” of behavior, he said Tuesday. “All options are on the table.”

Trouble is, Kim has heard such words before. At what point do options come off the table and get put into action?

Washington and Japan are now pushing for an oil embargo. But Kim is indifferent to the suffering of his public.

Trump & Co. need to credibly threaten something Kim actually cares about — maybe the luxury goods enjoyed by the regime’s elite. Find some way to make him hurt.

As American UN envoy Nikki Haley puts it, “Something serious has to happen.”