Share

Kim Jong-Un starting to respect US, says Trump

Phoenix - US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday his aggressive rhetoric toward North Korea was beginning to bear fruit and that Kim Jong-Un had started to "respect" the US.

"Some people said it was too strong. It's not strong enough," he told a gathering of thousands of supporters at a campaign style rally in Phoenix, Arizona.

"But Kim Jong-Un, I respect the fact that I believe he is starting to respect us. I respect that fact very much.

"And maybe, probably not, but maybe something positive can come about. They won't tell you that. But maybe something positive can come about," he added.

READ: North Korea: Trump is a 'mad man'

His comments echoed those of his Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who earlier in the day acknowledged Pyongyang's recent "restraint" in not carrying out fresh nuclear or missile tests in response to tough new UN sanctions.

"I am pleased to see that the regime in Pyongyang has certainly demonstrated some level of restraint that we've not seen in the past," Tillerson said at a rare press conference, adding that talks may be possible "in the near future".

Tensions between North Korea and the US and its allies soared in July after Pyongyang tested two long-range missiles that appeared to bring US cities within its range.

US President Donald Trump vowed to respond with "fire and fury", raising fears of a devastating regional conflict, and the UN Security Council scrambled to impose new punitive measures on the North.

Kim's regime later postponed a threat to fire missiles toward the US Pacific island territory of Guam, and Washington said it would be open to dialogue if Pyongyang were to take steps to calm tensions.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 545 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 779 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.89
+0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.84
+0.3%
Rand - Euro
20.38
+0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.31
+0.3%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE