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The US and the Hermit Kingdom appear to be on the verge of full-scale war with the North vowing to reduce the White House to "ashes".

In response, Donald Trump sent an "armada fleet" to the Korean peninsula and has flown nuclear bombers over their air space to increase pressure on Kim Jong-un.

This week, North Korean officials have claimed that a "US terrorist cell" has plotted to kill the tubby tyrant with a "biochem attack".

(Image: GETTY)

Now the despot nation has issued a chilling threat to the safety of US citizens they have taken captive.

Their puppet KCNA news agency said it was their sovereign right to "ruthlessly punish" American citizens it has detained for crimes against its government system.

North Korean vice foreign minister Han Song Ryol added: "The Central Prosecutor's Office will ask for the handover of those criminals and prosecute them under the relevant laws."

(Image: GETTY)

The US has strongly denied any attempt to assassinate the rotund ruler, although it was one of the options presented to The Donald on ways to deal with the North.

According to the KCNA: "Han declared the principled stand of the ... government to find out all of the terrorist maniacs and mercilessly wipe them out".

Among North Korean captives are student Otto Warmbier, Kim Hak Song and Kim Sang Dok.

US State department issued a severe travel warning this week, telling citizens to stay away from the communist nation.

A spokesman for the US State Department has confirmed the latest detention: “The security of US citizens is one of the department’s highest priorities.

“When a US citizen is reported to be detained in North Korea, we work with the Swedish embassy in Pyongyang.”