Donald Trump issues stark warning to North Korea
‘Do not underestimate us,’ US president tells Pyongyang

US President Donald Trump has used an address to South Korea’s parliament to issue a dire warning to North Korea over its continuing efforts to develop its nuclear weapons programme.
Trump urged all nations to join the US in isolating “the brutal regime of North Korea”. He said: “Today, I hope I speak not only for our countries, but for all civilised nations, when I say to the North: Do not underestimate us, and do not try us.”
The president also directly addressed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during the speech, saying: “The weapons you are acquiring are not making you safer, they are putting your regime in grave danger.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“North Korea is a country ruled by a cult,” the president continued. “At the centre of this military cult is a deranged belief in the ruler’s destiny to rule as a parent protector over a conquered Korean Peninsula.”
Trump “cast himself as more willing than previous US presidents to use military force against Pyongyang should they continue threatening the United States and its allies”, says CNN.
He “warned Pyongyang that while it may have interpreted past restraint by the US as weakness, there was now a different US administration in place”, reports the BBC.
Earlier in the day, Trump was forced to cancel a “surprise” visit to the heavily fortified Korean demilitarised zone (DMZ).
“Marine One left Seoul at daybreak and flew most of the way to the DMZ, but was forced to turn back due to poor weather conditions,” according to ABC News.
Trump is in South Korea for a two-day visit, part of a longer tour of Asian nations that will see him arrive in China later today.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
July 20 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Sunday’s political cartoons include AI replacing workers, and Donald Trump trying to divert media attention away from the Epstein files
-
5 suspiciously good cartoons about the Epstein files
Cartoons Artists take on the relationship between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein
-
A glorious Greek island without the 'swank'
The Week Recommends Lesbos doesn't welcome 'hoards' of tourists, but is 'magnificent' and worth exploring
-
Trump threatens Russia with 'severe tariffs'
speed read The president also agreed to sell NATO advanced arms for Ukraine
-
Wonsan-Kalma: North Korea's new 'mammoth' beach resort
Under the Radar Pyongyang wants to boost tourism but there won't be many foreign visitors to Kim Jong Un's 'pet project'
-
Trump U-turns on weapons to Ukraine
Speed Read Unhappy with Putin, Trump decides the US will go back to arming Ukraine against Russia's attacks
-
IAEA: Iran could enrich uranium 'within months'
Speed Read The chief United Nations nuclear inspector, Rafael Grossi, says Iran could be enriching uranium again soon
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
Iran nukes program set back months, early intel suggests
Speed Read A Pentagon assessment says US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites only set the program back by months, not years. This contradicts President Donald Trump's claim.
-
Trump gives himself 2 weeks for Iran decision
Speed Read Trump said he believes negotiations will occur in the near future
-
What would a US strike on Iran mean for the Middle East?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION A precise attack could break Iran's nuclear programme – or pull the US and its allies into a drawn-out war even more damaging than Iraq or Afghanistan