Trump ups level of rhetoric against DPRK, tells it to be 'very, very nervous'

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The US Department of State on Thursday issued an updated travel warning for the Democratic People' s Republic of Korea (DPRK) which includes information about the impending tourist ban.

The release detailed a number of potential issues with traveling to the DPRK, including the lack of US diplomatic services, the country’s system of law enforcement and risk of detention for crimes such as criticizing the leadership, possessing material critical of the government, or taking unauthorized photographs.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said the DPRK should be "very, very nervous" of the consequences if it even thinks of attacking US soil, after Pyongyang said it was readying missile launch plans on the Pacific territory of Guam.

“North Korea disrespects our country greatly, he has said things that are horrific. And with me he cannot get away with it…” said Trump talking about DPRK leader Kim Jong Un.

US President Donald Trump walks to Marine One prior to departure from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, August 4, 2017, as he travels on a 17-day vacation to his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey. /AFP Photo

The Republican businessman dismissed any criticism of his "fire and fury" warning, saying it possibly "wasn't tough enough" given threats made by the government of Kim Jong Un to both Washington and its allies.

"Frankly, the people who were questioning that statement, was it too tough? Maybe it wasn't tough enough," he told reporters in his golf resort in New Jersey after the DPRK announced a detailed plan to send four missiles over Japan and towards Guam, where some 6,000 US soldiers are based on the military facilities.

Despite his harsh rhetoric as the war of words intensifies between Pyongyang and Washington, Trump offered assurance to the public, saying that the American people "should be very comfortable."

South Korea's presidential office said on Thursday that top security advisers from the country and the United States have reaffirmed their promise to cooperate in a transparent manner.

A spokesman for the Blue House said the reaffirmation of ties came through a 40-minute phone call between Chung Eui-yong, the head of South Korea's Presidential National Security Office, and his US counterpart, Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster.

The spokesman added that DC and Seoul would help ensure the safety of both South Korean and American people.

On Tuesday, Trump issued a controversial warning to the DPRK that appeared to threaten a nuclear war with the Asian country.

The latest tensions started on July 28 when the DPRK conducted its second ICBM test in a month.

The US responded by sending two B-1B bombers over South Korea and signing new sanctions against Pyongyang into law.

Things have deteriotated even further since then.

In response, the DPRK warned of preemptive strikes against the US military bases of Guam in West Pacific.

Following the exchange of fierce rhetoric between Washington and Pyongyang, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Wednesday played down the threat from the DPRK, telling US citizens that they could "sleep well at night."

Source(s): AFP ,Xinhua News Agency