Mark Wilson-Getty Images North America—AFP
U.S. president says latest missile test has proven Pyongyang’s contempt for the entire world community
Standing before a B-2 stealth bomber and a vast U.S. flag, Donald Trump on Friday lashed out at North Korea and warned that advanced U.S. weaponry could make the souls of America’s enemies “crumble.”
Addressing several hundred air force personnel after reviewing some of America’s most high-tech fighters jets and bombers, Trump warned that Pyongyang had “once again shown its utter contempt for its neighbors and for the entire world community.”
“After seeing our capabilities, I am more confident than ever that our options are not only effective but overwhelming,” Trump said.
The U.N. Security Council on Friday strongly condemned North Korea’s “highly provocative” missile launch and demanded Pyongyang immediately halt such actions—but did not threaten further sanctions.
North Korea fired the intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan that landed in the Pacific, responding to new U.N. sanctions with its furthest-ever missile flight. In a unanimous statement backed by China, the council said the launch was carried out just three weeks after a first missile overflew Japan and less than two weeks after Pyongyang’s sixth and biggest nuclear test.
U.S. President Donald Trump has scheduled talks with leaders of Japan and South Korea to address the crisis.