US: N. Korea to be utterly destroyed if there is war

NEW YORK: The United States warned North Korea’s leadership it would be “utterly destroyed” if war were to break out after Pyongyang test fired its most advanced missile, putting the US mainland within range, in violation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

The Trump administration had repeatedly said all options were on the table in dealing with North Korea’s ballistic and nuclear weapons programmes, including military ones, but that it still preferred a diplomatic option.

At an emergency UNSC meeting, US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said the US had never sought war with North Korea.

“If war does come, it will be because of continued acts of aggression like we witnessed yesterday,” she said. “And if war comes, make no mistake, the North Korean regime will be utterly destroyed.”

She said the US asked China to cut off oil supply to North Korea, a drastic step that Beijing, the North’s sole major trading partner, had refrained from doing.

Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping talked on the phone earlier on Wednesday.

“Just spoke to President Xi Jinping of China concerning the provocative actions of North Korea. Additional major sanctions will be imposed on North Korea today. This situation will be handled!” Trump said on Twitter.

China Daily, in an editorial, said the launch might have been prompted by the Trump administration’s decision to label the North a sponsor of state terrorism.