North Korea threatens to NUKE the US as Donald Trump declares despot Kim Jong-un is ‘looking for trouble’ and vows to ‘solve the problem’ WITHOUT China
NORTH Korea has threatened to nuke the US after Donald Trump said despot Kim Jong-un was "looking for trouble" in a series of provocative tweets.
Kim's army is understood to have its "nuclear sights" on the US mainland as well as US bases in South Korea and the Pacific.
North Korea's state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper said the country was prepared to hit back at any US aggression.
"Our revolutionary strong army is keenly watching every move by enemy elements with our nuclear sight," the paper said.
"We are focused on the U.S. invasionary bases not only in South Korea and the Pacific operation theatre but also in the U.S. mainland."
Tension has escalated on the Korean peninsula with talk of US military action following its strikes against Syria last week.
Trump poured fuel on the fire by upping his war of words with North Korea via Twitter.
He also ramped up the pressure on China to take action against the secretive state by declaring the US would “solve the problem” alone if China does not step up.
He added: “I explained to the President of China that a trade deal with the U.S. will be far better for them if they solve the North Korean problem!”
Earlier, Pyongyang threatened "catastrophic consequences" after Trump deployed the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier and its strike group to the Korean Peninsula.
An unnamed spokesman for the North's foreign ministry said: "This goes to prove that the US' reckless moves for invading the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) have reached a serious phase.
"The DPRK is ready to react to any mode of war desired by the US.";
It comes after China moved 150,000 troops to the North Korean border in fear of possible attacks following the US airstrikes on Syria.
The North Korean foreign ministry spokesman added: "We will take the toughest counteraction against the provocateurs in order to defend ourselves by powerful force of arms.
"We will hold the US wholly accountable for the catastrophic consequences to be entailed by its outrageous actions."
China's nuclear envoy was sent to Seoul on Monday ahead of talks on the apparent North Korean threat.
Medical and backup units have allegedly been deployed from the People's Liberation Army to handle North Korean refugees after President Donald Trump launched a missile strike on Friday.
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US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the strike action against Syria was a warning to other countries including North Korea that "a response is likely" if they pose a threat.
He said: "We are prepared to chart our own course if this is something China is just unable to coordinate with us.
"We need to allow them time to take actions."
Trump discussed the “North Korea problem” with Chinese President Xi Jinping during crunch talks at his Florida golf resort last week.
Before their meeting, Trump threatened to “act alone” if China fails to put pressure on North Korea to disable its nuclear programme.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said he would "certainly be prepared to act alone against North Korea".
He then added: "But I think China will want to be stepping up."
Kim Jong-un has since fuelled tension over US missile strikes on Syria, branding the action an “unforgivable act of aggression” that defends its nukes.
Trump ordered the revenge hit against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after dozens died in a suspected chemical gas attack in Idlib province.
He described as “an affront to humanity”,with the US ambassador to the United Nations saying the country is “prepared to do more”.
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