Kim Jong Un Vows To "Tame Mentally Deranged U.S. Dotard With Fire"
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WASHINGTON (CBSMiami) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has issued a direct, fiery response to President Donald Trump's United Nations speech where he threatened to "totally destroy" his regime.
In a statement released by the North Korea state news agency KCNA, Kim Jong Un called President Trump "deranged" and said he was "unfit to hold the prerogative of supreme command of a country."
As for the threat, Kim said "A frightened dog barks louder."
He went on to say that President Trump "insulted me and my country in front of the eyes of the world" and "he will face results beyond his expectation."
"I will surely and definitely tame the mentally deranged U.S. dotard with fire."
"Dotard" translated in Korean is a derogatory reference to an weak or senile old person. According to Merriam-Webster, the word meant "imbecile" when it was first used in the 14th century.
Friday morning, President Trump fired back on Twitter.
Kim Jong Un of North Korea, who is obviously a madman who doesn't mind starving or killing his people, will be tested like never before!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 22, 2017
On Thursday, President Trump issued a new Executive Order that gave the world and ultimatum - either you can do business with North Korea or with the United States, but not both.
"North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile development is a grave threat to peace and security in our world, and it is unacceptable that others financially support this criminal rogue regime," he said.
The order cuts off access to U.S. banks and freezes the assets of those dealing with the North Korean textile, fishing and manufacuting industries.
Hours after Kim Jong Un's statement was released, North Korea's foreign minister also raised the tension level between the two countries.
"Our Chairman of the State Affairs Commission has a decision to conduct strongest ever hydrogen bomb test in the Pacific Ocean," said Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho.
In response to the foreign ministers pronouncement, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said all options are being considered.
"We will continue our efforts in the diplomatic arena, but all of our military options, as the president has said, is on the table. Once we can assess the nature of this threat, the president will make the decision regarding appropriate actions," he said.
South Korea has denounced Kim Jong Un's escalating rhetoric and China has also weighed in, urging North Korea to stop persisting on a dangerous course. China also called on the United States to stick to promises of non-aggression towards Pyongyang.