NORTH Korea has let loose in another war of words at the United States warning of the dire consequences of an attack on the country or its leader Kim Jong-un.

The secretive state has also taken a direct swipe at the Trump administration and challenged comments made by US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis who criticised the DPRK’s nuclear program.

According to an article in Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, an attack on North Korea would be “a very foolish act of precipitating self-ruin” that would effectively put an end to “the empire of America.”

“The army and people of the DPRK are fully ready to counter any military option chosen by the US,” the article reads.

“If a war breaks out in Korea owing to the US unpardonable act, the empire of America will meet a shameful end.”

The article goes on to warn that in order for the US to “escape the worst disaster in its history it should behave itself”.

The threat is in direct response to the Trump administration announcing the policy of strategic patience with the secretive state had come to an end in the wake of the North’s latest ICBM launch on July 4.

It also comes weeks after Mr Mattis warned any nuclear attack by North Korea would trigger an “effective and overwhelming” response.

Just two weeks ago, North Korea made a major breakthrough in its first intercontinental ballistic missile test, in a move which alarmed experts and sparked global condemnation.

The North said its latest intercontinental ballistic missile test was a “gift” to “American bastards” on their Independence Day.

Last week Mr Mattis called the North the most “urgent and dangerous threat” to the world’s security which sparked the secretive state to hit back.

Referring to him by name Rodong Sinmun singled out Mr Mattis as a war maniac, North Korea’s propaganda arm KNCA reported.

“Mattis is the peerless bellicose element well known to be a ‘war-maniac’ and ‘rabid dog’ in the overseas aggression wars,” the stinging editorial reads.

“It is ridiculous, indeed, that such warmonger talked about ‘non-military counteraction’ and ‘diplomatic solution.”

KCNA: "Mattis is the peerless bellicose element well known to be a 'war-maniac' and 'rabid dog' in the overseas aggression wars." — Jonathan Cheng (@JChengWSJ) July 17, 2017

Mr Mattis, a retired general, earned the moniker mad dog from the US press for his hard-edge quips including comments such as “be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet”.

According to New York-based political analyst and Asian specialist Sean King the language used by Rodong Sinmun in its latest war of words with the US is hardly surprising.

“Rodong Sinmun may not always target individuals by name but the vitriol’s pretty standard,” he said.

Mr King also told news.com.au said this latest threat “was simply par for the course” and the US shouldn’t take it any more, or less, seriously than any other.

The war of words comes as tensions remain high on the Korean Peninsula following the North’s successful ICBM launch.

Just yesterday US ally Japan pressed for increased pressure on North Korea, and warned now was not a time for dialogue.

Government spokesman Norio Maruyama said North Korea had reached “a new level” with its latest launch, AFP reported.

The latest ICBM reportedly landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone in the Sea of Japan.

Despite condemning the ICBM test, South Korean President Moon Jae-in offered talks with North Korea, indicating for the first time since his inauguration in May that he wants to use dialogue to defuse the international standoff over the North’s nuclear and missile programs.

But Mr Maruyama said that raising pressure now is essential “in order to be able to conduct a serious dialogue” with North Korea in the future.

In response to the ICBM test, the United States has circulated a resolution with proposed new sanctions to the other permanent veto-wielding Security Council members — China, Russia, Britain and France — UN diplomats said last week.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley told the council earlier this month that if it is united, the international community can cut off major sources of hard currency to North Korea, restrict oil to its military and weapons programs, increase air and maritime restrictions, and hold senior officials accountable.

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— with AFP

debra.killalea@news.com.au