Donald Trump talks tough on North Korea

CHINA told the US it wants a peaceful resolution with North Korea, however Donald Trump can’t help but label the country a “menace”.

BEIJING is willing to work with Washington on ending North Korea’s nuclear weapons program but wants a peaceful solution to the escalating conflict.

Chinese President Xi Jinping told President Donald Trump in a phone call Wednesday that he advocated “resolving the issue through peaceful means,” according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Concerns grow over the reclusive state’s nuclear ambitions and on Tuesday, Mr Trump tweeted that the US is ready to solve the North Korean “problem” without China if necessary.

Mr Xi told Mr Trump that China insists on peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and advocates resolving the problem through peaceful means. He said China would maintain “communication and co-ordination” with Washington over it.

Had a very good call last night with the President of China concerning the menace of North Korea.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2017

The two leaders spoke on Tuesday night Washington time.

Mr Trump tweeted that it was “a very good call” but then ends the post by referring to “the menace of North Korea”.

North Korea is looking for trouble. If China decides to help, that would be great. If not, we will solve the problem without them! U.S.A.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2017

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North Korean state media has warned of a nuclear attack on the United States at any sign of American aggression.

“Our revolutionary strong army is keenly watching every move by enemy elements with our nuclear sight focused on the US invasionary bases not only in South Korea and the Pacific operation theatre but also in the US mainland,” North Korea’s official Rodong Sinmun newspaper said.

ANNIVERSARY OF KIM-JONG-IL

North Korea is preparing to celebrate the 105th anniversary of founding President Kim Il-sung.

Jong-il was the supreme leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. He died of a massive heart attack while travelling by train outside Pyongyang.

People gather for a national meeting at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang to celebrate the 105th anniversary of foudning President Kim Il-sung. Picture: AFP

People dance to celebrate the 105th anniversary of their founding president. Picture: AFP

Thousands will take part in the celebrations. Picture: AFP

A speed boat from the First Naval Fleet guards a group of boats catching fish in the country's northernmost Jeodo fishery ground bordering North Korea in the East Sea. Picture: AAP

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US TO USE OPERATIVES THAT TOOK OUT BIN LADEN

The crack US Navy Seal team that took out Osama bin Laden is reportedly in training in South Korea, conducting “field training operations”, amid rising tension with North Korea.

South Korean media claims the famed Seal Team 6 — which killed Osama bin Laden in May 2011 — is part of the Foal Eagle and Key Resolve exercise being carried out from March 7 to April 30 in South Korea.

The crack US Navy Seals who captured Osama bin Laden are being sent to South Korea. Picture: AP

While US military would not confirm the reports, it said “ground, air, naval and special operations” are taking part in “several joint and combined field training operations” which involve up to 17,000 troops.

The special operations teams are thought to also include the Army Rangers, Delta Force and Green Berets. The training commenced one day after US deployed its state of the art THAAD missile defence system to the region.

South Korea’s JoongAng Daily has claimed the teams would take part in a drill to simulate the removal of Kim Jong-un — a move denied by Former US Navy Commander Gary Ross.

The US has also deployed its THAAD missile defence system to South Korea to intercept any nuclear missiles being launched from North Korea.

Asked about the Navy team’s participation in March, Commander Ross said: “There are variety of Special Operations Forces (SOF) participating in Foal Eagle, as they do in most regional exercises.”

“Foal Eagle is a regularly-scheduled, annual exercise that is the culmination of many months of planning and it is not being conducted in response to the current situation on peninsula,” he said.

The US what also deployed its mobile THAAD missile defence system to South Korea as tensions mount.

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) is a “hit to kill” system that provides capability to intercept and defend population centres around the world. Makers Lockheed Martin claim it has a 100 per cent success rate and describe it as “one of the most advanced missile defence systems in the world.”

N. KOREA IS ‘DOING THE WRONG THING’

In an interview with Fox News, set to air at 10pm AEST on Wednesday, President Trump will talk about the North Korean situation, according to the ABC.

When asked about what the US plans to do about the rogue nation, he said: “You never know you never know.”

“I don’t talk about the military,” he went on to say. “We are sending an armada, very powerful. We have submarines, very powerful. Far more powerful than the aircraft carrier, that I can tell you. And we have the best military people. And I will say this: He is doing the wrong thing.”

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspecting the Korean People's Army Tank Crews. Picture: AFP

When asked whether he thought dictator Kim Jong Un is “mentally unfit”, the President replied:

“I don’t know, I don’t know.”

“I don’t know him. But he’s doing the wrong thing,” he went on to say.

It comes after President Trump launched a missile strike on Syria late on Thursday while meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

The move was widely interpreted as a warning to North Korea as well as retaliation for the Damascus regime’s suspected sarin attack against civilians in a rebel-held town in Syria.

“I explained to the President of China that a trade deal with the US will be far better for them if they solve the North Korean problem!” Mr Trump wrote in an earlier tweet.

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!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2017

Spokesman Sean Spicer responded during a press conference on Tuesday to a question about the President’s Twitter post, in which he accused North Korea of “looking for trouble”.

“The president is not one to go out there and telegraph his response ...,” Spicer told a news briefing.

“He has made it clear with respect to North Korea that ... their actions with respect to missile launches is not tolerable. The last thing we want to see is a nuclear North Korea that threatens the coast of the United States or for that matter ... any other country.”

There are concerns the reclusive North may soon conduct a sixth nuclear test.

The United States has deployed a naval strike group — which includes the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson — to the Korean peninsula in a show of force.

Mr Trump has previously threatened unilateral action against Pyongyang if China, the North’s sole major ally, fails to help curb its neighbour’s nuclear ambitions.

It came as South Korean news agency Yonhap reported that China had deployed 150,000 extra Chinese troops to its border with North Korea.

China’s state news agency Xinhua, has not reported on this deployment.

South Korea’s acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn warned of “greater provocations” by North Korea and ordered the military to intensify monitoring and to ensure close communication with the United States.

“It is possible the North may wage greater provocations such as a nuclear test timed with various anniversaries including the Supreme People’s Assembly,” said Hwang, acting leader since former president Park Geun-hye was removed amid a graft scandal.