If forced, US will totally destroy North Korea: Trump @ UN

Referring to Kim Jong-Un, Trump said, 'Rocket Man', is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime.

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned North Korea of "total destruction" if its leader Kim Jong-Un, whom he mockingly described as "Rocket Man", continued with his provocative behaviour.

North Korea fired a missile over Japan earlier this month and tested a hydrogen bomb, prompting Trump to insist that "all options were on the table" in an implied threat of pre-emptive military action.

In his maiden address to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump said no nation on earth has an interest in seeing "this band of criminals" arm itself with nuclear weapons and missiles.

"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. 'Rocket Man' is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime," Trump said.

"The United States is ready, willing and able. But hopefully, this will not be necessary. That's what the United Nations is all about. That's what the United Nations is for. Let's see how they do.

"It is time for North Korea to realise that the denuclearisation is its only acceptable future," he asserted.

The UN Security Council recently held two unanimous 15-to-0 votes adopting hard-hitting resolutions against North Korea, he said.

He thanked China and Russia for joining the vote to impose sanctions, along with all the other members of the Security Council.

"Thank you to all involved," he said.

"But we must do much more. It is time for all nations to work together to isolate the Kim regime until it ceases its hostile behaviour.

"We face this decision not only in North Korea. It is far past time for the nations of the world to confront another reckless regime, one that speaks openly of mass murder, vowing death to America, destruction to Israel and ruin for many leaders and nations in this room," he added, pointing to Iran.

Trump said North Korea's reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles threatens the entire world with unthinkable loss of human life.

"It is an outrage that some nations would not only trade with such a regime, but would arm, supply and financially support a country that imperils the world with nuclear conflict," he said. 

'Time to 'expose' those giving safe havens to terror groups'

Trump also told world leaders that it is time to "expose" and "hold responsible" those countries that provide funding and safe havens to terror groups, weeks after he warned Pakistan for supporting "agents of chaos."

Trump said that all responsible nations must work together to confront terrorists and "the Islamic extremist that inspires them."

"We will stop radical Islamic terrorism, because we cannot allow it to tear up our nation and, indeed, to tear up the entire world," he said.

"It is time to expose and hold responsible" nations that provide funding and safe havens to terror groups, Trump said without naming any country.

He said countries must deny the terrorists safe havens, training, funding and any form of support for their "vile and sinister ideology".

"We must drive them out from our nations. It is time to expose and hold those responsible those countries who support and finance terror groups like al-Qaeda, Hezabollah and the Taliban and others," he said.

The US president said America and its allies were working together to crush the terrorists and prevent the re-emergence of safe heavens they use to launch attacks.

Recalling his new strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia, Trump said it was aimed at defeating terrorists in war-torn Afghanistan.

"From now onwards the security agencies will dictate the length and scope of military operations, not our betraying benchmarks and timetables set up by politicians," he said.

"I have also totally changed the rules of engagements of our fight against the Taliban and other terrorist groups," he said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is currently in New York, heading his country's delegation to the UN General Assembly session.

Last month, Trump had issued the sternest warning yet by an American leader to Pakistan for providing safe havens to terrorists.

Trump said another pillar of his new strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia was a change in America's approach to Pakistan, considered a long-time ally of Washington.

Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror....," Trump had said.

Trump had also slammed Pakistan for its continued support to terrorist groups and warned Islamabad of consequences if it continues to do so.

"We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond," Trump had said on August 21.