President Donald Trump tweeted that it would have been "catastrophic and unacceptable" if North Korea went through with its plan to fire missiles at Guam. | Ukas Michael/Pool/Getty Images Trump praises North Korea for backing off plan to fire missiles toward Guam

President Donald Trump on Wednesday morning praised North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un for backing off on his plan to fire missiles toward the United States territory of Guam.

"Kim Jong Un of North Korea made a very wise and well reasoned decision. The alternative would have been both catastrophic and unacceptable!" the president wrote on Twitter.


Kim on Tuesday said he wants to hold off on firing missiles to "watch a little more the foolish and stupid conduct of the Yankees," according to reports of his interview with the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

Over the past couple of weeks, tensions between North Korea and the United States have intensified.

On Monday, Secretary of Defense James Mattis warned that it would be "game on" if North Korea fired on a U.S. territory.

Trump has in the past also said that North Korea "will be met with fire and fury" if it continues its threats.