North Korea on Trump's Asia visit: He deserves death

Kim Hjelmgaard | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption North Korea: Trump is a coward who deserves to die It’s no secret that President Trump and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un have been feuding for months. But the Pyongyang’s state media evidently had enough of Trump's insults to the dignity of their “supreme leader.”

North Korea gave its version of a diplomatic verdict Wednesday on President Trump's recent trip to Asia: He's a coward who deserves to die.

Pyongyang's state media slammed Trump for insulting North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un while on a five country tour of Asia. It said the American president, who Kim has feuded with for months, deserves the death penalty.

"The worst crime for which (Trump) can never be pardoned is that he dared (to) malignantly hurt the dignity of the supreme leadership. He should know that he is just a hideous criminal sentenced to death by the Korean people," it said.

The comments were published in an editorial in the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, a mouthpiece for Kim's ruling Workers' Party of Korea.

More: China sending special envoy to North Korea days after Trump's visit

More: Trump hails 'tremendously successful' Asia trip; analysts not so sure

The paper also branded Trump a coward for canceling a visit to the heavily fortified border area that separates North and South Korea.

Trump returned to Washington on Tuesday after a tour of the region that included stops in Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. The purpose of the trip was to discuss trade and efforts to halt North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

Trump characterized that endeavor as "tremendously successful," a description disputed by analysts who said little progress had been made on containing North Korea's nuclear program. On Saturday, Trump indirectly called Kim "short and fat" in a tweet.

"Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me "old," when I would NEVER call him "short and fat?" Trump tweeted. "Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend - and maybe someday that will happen!"

Trump again insisted Wednesday the trip to Asia brought tangible results.

Trump: Trip great success, built relationships President Trump said one of the major accomplishments of his Asia trip was building better relationships with other countries. He went on to say that a 'relationship based on respect is much more important than anything else." (Nov. 14)

"Our great country is respected again in Asia. You will see the fruits of our long but successful trip for many years to come!" he tweeted.

Later Wednesday, Trump is expected to make what he's called a "major" announcement on trade and North Korea. He has given few clues as to what he will say.

In the wake of his trip, China said it would send a ministerial-level Chinese official to North Korea for the first time since 2015. Trump has repeatedly called on Beijing to do more to use its influence to pressure Pyongyang into altering its behavior. China is North Korea's largest trading partner and its relies on it for essential supplies and resources.

Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me "old," when I would NEVER call him "short and fat?" Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend - and maybe someday that will happen! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2017

More: Analysis: Trump's trip to Asia is over. Now what?