US President Donald Trump has stressed sovereignty in his first address to world leaders at the UN General Assembly. Trump has also vowed to “totally destroy” North Korea if the reclusive state doesn’t relent.
US President Donald Trump said that the world is facing a “time of both immense promise and great peril” in his first address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
Trump also praised the notion of the nation-state and told world leaders that he would always put his country first, encouraging others to do the same.
“As long as I hold this office, I will defend America’s interests above all else, but in fulfilling our obligations to our nations, we also realize that it’s in everyone’s interests to seek the future where all nations can be sovereign, prosperous and secure,” he said.
One day prior, he had urged the 193-nation organization to cut costs and reduce bureaucracy, saying that the UN had not reached its full potential due to “mismanagement.”
Read also: Russia, China urge ‘peaceful’ solution with North Korea
Trump calls out ‘rouge states’
Loud murmurs filled the UN General Assembly hall when Trump issued a strong warning to North Korea, calling it a “rouge state.”
Unless North Korea backs down from its nuclear standoff, Trump said Washington “will have no choice than to totally destroy North Korea.”
“Rocket man is on a suicide mission for himself and his regime,” Trump said, referring to leader Kim Jong Un.
He also denounced the Iran nuclear deal, in a possible sign that he wants to pull the US out from the international agreement.
“Frankly, that deal is an embarrassment to the United States, and I don’t think you’ve heard the last of it,” Trump said.
“Believe me. It is time for the entire world to join us in demanding that Iran’s government end its pursuit of death and destruction.”
UN chief takes a swipe at Trump
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres used his first speech at the General Assembly to urge for diplomacy to avoid war with North Korea. He warned that “fiery talk can lead to fatal misunderstandings” in a possible swipe at both Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
“This is the time for statesmanship,” said the former prime minister of Portugal. “We must not sleepwalk our way into war.”
Trump previously warned of “fire and fury” if Pyongyang does not back down from its threats.
Guterres also criticized world leaders for stoking resentment and fear of refugees for political gain as well as urged for more to be done to combat climate change.
“It is high time to get off the path of suicidal emissions. We know enough today to act. The science is unassailable,” the UN chief said.
This is a developing story and will be updated as events progress.
rs/kl (AP, Reuters)