NORTH Korea’s ambassador to the UK has declared that his nation is ready to turn US strategic assets to 'ashes' if America’s military moves an inch. As tensions continue to escalate, here are live updates.
This is the latest warning North Korea after Donald Trump sent an 'armada', including a nuclear-powered submarine and aircraft carriers, into the region in a show of force.
South Korea’s newly elected President Moon Jae-in has vowed to begin efforts solve the “security crisis” on the peninsula amid tensions between North Korea and America.
The US has activated a anti-missile system in South Korea despite opposition from China. Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un is preparing to carry out a sixth nuclear test.
Here are the latest updates on the standoff between Kim Jong-un's regime and Donald Trump's administration.
Friday May 12
01.30 am BST: North Korean officials are hunting the “terror suspects” who allegedly plotted to assassinate their country’s despot leader, Kim Jong-un.
Repeating accusations that US and South Korean spies were behind the plot, North Korea’s vice foreign minister said his country will “wipe out” the suspects once they have been found.
North Korea’s vice foreign minister, Hang Song Ryol, said: “The Central Prosecutor's Office will ask for the handover of those criminals and prosecute them under the relevant laws.”
Thursday May 11
9.20pm: South Korea's new president Moon Jae-in has launched international efforts to defuse tension over North Korea's weapons development, calling dialogue and sanctions while also aiming to ease China's anger about a US anti-missile system.
Just hours after being sworn in the former human rights lawyer spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping and later to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The conversations were dominated by how to respond to North Korea's rapidly developing nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, which are in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.
Mr Moon has taken a more conciliatory line with North Korea than his conservative predecessors and advocates engagement. He has said he would be prepared to go to Pyongyang "if the conditions are right."
His advocacy of engagement with North Korea contrasts with the approach of the United States, South Korea's main ally, which is seeking to step up pressure on Pyongyang through further isolation and sanctions.
US President Donald Trump, who spoke with Mr Moon on Wednesday, this month opened the door to meeting North Korea's Kim Jong-un, saying he would be honored to meet the young leader - but under the right circumstances.
7.40pm BST: A report from the Washington based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) estimates 13 to 30 nuclear weapons could be in Kim Jong-un’s hands.
The report further estimates North Korea possesses 33 kilograms of separated plutonium and 175 to 645 kilograms of weapon grade uranium.
David Albright who penned the report, writes: “How many it may have built is unknown, as is their size, weight, and reliability.
“North Korea has enough plutonium for up to 12 nuclear weapons using a composite core of plutonium and weapon-grade uranium, where likewise 70 percent of the fissile material is utilized in the weapons themselves. “
10.30am BST: South Korea's new President Moon Jae-in has spoken to Chinese leader Xi Jinping and said North Korea needs to cease making provocations before tensions over the deployment of the US anti-missile system in the South can be resolved.
Xi explained China's concerns over the deployment of the THAAD anti-missile system to Moon, who took office on Wednesday, according to Yoon Young-chan, spokesman for South Korea's presidential office.
"President Moon said the THAAD issue can be resolved when there is no further provocation by North Korea," Mr Yoon said.
4am BST: Pyongyang’s state media outlet has released satellite pictures of the anti-missile system THAAD, which the US has deployed in South Korea.
The state-controlled media said: “The satellite pictures show the THAAD missile launcher is currently deployed near the northern ridge of the Seongju golf course while the X-band radar and other auxiliary equipment are installed near the western ridge from the centre.
"THAAD is a source of a nuclear disaster.”
It warned that the deployment would “turn the Korean Peninsula as a battlefield for a nuclear war among powerful countries”.
Wednesday May 10
10pm BST: Pyongyang state media today warn that hundreds of millions could die if Donald Trump does not prevent war with North Korea.
Propaganda outlet Rodong Sinmun said: “If a war breaks out, even survivors cannot seek a shelter anywhere.
“The US would be well advised to urgently take measures to save the lives of hundreds of millions of Americans in the mainland rather than being concerned about the security of those in South Korea."
8.46pm BST: Germany has announced a crackdown on the business activities of the North Korean embassy in Berlin over fears a tourist hostel was being used to fund Kim Jong-un’s regime.
The tourist hostel and a convention centre operate from the embassy building in the middle of the German capital and officials have become concerned the enterprise is being increasingly used as a source of foreign exchange.
7.55pm BST: The North Korean has congratulated Emmanuel Macron on his election as France's President, even though the countries have no formal diplomatic relations.
Kim Yong-nam, the regime’s ceremonial head of state, said better dialogue between them would “benefit people in both nations”.
Pyongyang’s state-run KCNA news agency reported that Mr Kim wished Mr Macron “success in his responsible work for the development and prosperity of France”.
3pm BST: Japan is reportedly considering buying Tomahawk cruise missiles amid escalating tensions in the region.
SURAJ GOSWAMI
This is the latest warning North Korea after Donald Trump sent an 'armada', including a nuclear-powered submarine and aircraft carriers, into the region in a show of force.
South Korea’s newly elected President Moon Jae-in has vowed to begin efforts solve the “security crisis” on the peninsula amid tensions between North Korea and America.
The US has activated a anti-missile system in South Korea despite opposition from China. Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un is preparing to carry out a sixth nuclear test.
Here are the latest updates on the standoff between Kim Jong-un's regime and Donald Trump's administration.
Friday May 12
01.30 am BST: North Korean officials are hunting the “terror suspects” who allegedly plotted to assassinate their country’s despot leader, Kim Jong-un.
Repeating accusations that US and South Korean spies were behind the plot, North Korea’s vice foreign minister said his country will “wipe out” the suspects once they have been found.
North Korea’s vice foreign minister, Hang Song Ryol, said: “The Central Prosecutor's Office will ask for the handover of those criminals and prosecute them under the relevant laws.”
Thursday May 11
9.20pm: South Korea's new president Moon Jae-in has launched international efforts to defuse tension over North Korea's weapons development, calling dialogue and sanctions while also aiming to ease China's anger about a US anti-missile system.
Just hours after being sworn in the former human rights lawyer spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping and later to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The conversations were dominated by how to respond to North Korea's rapidly developing nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, which are in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.
Mr Moon has taken a more conciliatory line with North Korea than his conservative predecessors and advocates engagement. He has said he would be prepared to go to Pyongyang "if the conditions are right."
His advocacy of engagement with North Korea contrasts with the approach of the United States, South Korea's main ally, which is seeking to step up pressure on Pyongyang through further isolation and sanctions.
US President Donald Trump, who spoke with Mr Moon on Wednesday, this month opened the door to meeting North Korea's Kim Jong-un, saying he would be honored to meet the young leader - but under the right circumstances.
7.40pm BST: A report from the Washington based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) estimates 13 to 30 nuclear weapons could be in Kim Jong-un’s hands.
The report further estimates North Korea possesses 33 kilograms of separated plutonium and 175 to 645 kilograms of weapon grade uranium.
David Albright who penned the report, writes: “How many it may have built is unknown, as is their size, weight, and reliability.
“North Korea has enough plutonium for up to 12 nuclear weapons using a composite core of plutonium and weapon-grade uranium, where likewise 70 percent of the fissile material is utilized in the weapons themselves. “
10.30am BST: South Korea's new President Moon Jae-in has spoken to Chinese leader Xi Jinping and said North Korea needs to cease making provocations before tensions over the deployment of the US anti-missile system in the South can be resolved.
Xi explained China's concerns over the deployment of the THAAD anti-missile system to Moon, who took office on Wednesday, according to Yoon Young-chan, spokesman for South Korea's presidential office.
"President Moon said the THAAD issue can be resolved when there is no further provocation by North Korea," Mr Yoon said.
4am BST: Pyongyang’s state media outlet has released satellite pictures of the anti-missile system THAAD, which the US has deployed in South Korea.
The state-controlled media said: “The satellite pictures show the THAAD missile launcher is currently deployed near the northern ridge of the Seongju golf course while the X-band radar and other auxiliary equipment are installed near the western ridge from the centre.
"THAAD is a source of a nuclear disaster.”
It warned that the deployment would “turn the Korean Peninsula as a battlefield for a nuclear war among powerful countries”.
Wednesday May 10
10pm BST: Pyongyang state media today warn that hundreds of millions could die if Donald Trump does not prevent war with North Korea.
Propaganda outlet Rodong Sinmun said: “If a war breaks out, even survivors cannot seek a shelter anywhere.
“The US would be well advised to urgently take measures to save the lives of hundreds of millions of Americans in the mainland rather than being concerned about the security of those in South Korea."
8.46pm BST: Germany has announced a crackdown on the business activities of the North Korean embassy in Berlin over fears a tourist hostel was being used to fund Kim Jong-un’s regime.
The tourist hostel and a convention centre operate from the embassy building in the middle of the German capital and officials have become concerned the enterprise is being increasingly used as a source of foreign exchange.
7.55pm BST: The North Korean has congratulated Emmanuel Macron on his election as France's President, even though the countries have no formal diplomatic relations.
Kim Yong-nam, the regime’s ceremonial head of state, said better dialogue between them would “benefit people in both nations”.
Pyongyang’s state-run KCNA news agency reported that Mr Kim wished Mr Macron “success in his responsible work for the development and prosperity of France”.
3pm BST: Japan is reportedly considering buying Tomahawk cruise missiles amid escalating tensions in the region.
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