Trump gets 'death sentence' from North Korea for insulting leader

US president Donald Trump, who called Kim Jong-un 'short and fat' has been handed over the death sentence by the ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun

Supreme leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un (Photo: Spiegel)
Supreme leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un (Photo: Spiegel)

Pyongyang’s state media has criticised US president Donald Trump and sentenced him “to death” for insulting both leader Kim Jong-un and the state.

An editorial in the ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun, focused its anger on Trump’s visit to South Korea last week, during which he denounced Pyongyang’s “cruel dictatorship”, in a speech to legislators in the South.

“The worst crime for which he can never be pardoned is that he dared [to] malignantly hurt the dignity of the supreme leadership,” said the editorial.

“He should know that he is just a hideous criminal sentenced to death by the Korean people,” it added.

Trump’s visit was part of a five nation Asian tour, aimed mostly on galvanising regional opposition to the North’s nuclear weapons programmes.

Trump, since his election, has engaged in an escalating war of words with Pyongyang’s leader, trading personal insults and threats, raising concerns about an outbreak of hostility.

Towards the end of his Asia tour, Trump tweeted, from Hanoi, taunting the North Korean leader.

“Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me ‘old’ , when I would NEVER call him ‘short and fat’, he tweeted.

The members of the ruling Kim dynasty have often shown extreme sensitivity to any remark, which may be seen as mocking or disrespectful of the leadership.

The editorial went on to highlight Trump’s failure to visit the demilitarised zone (DMZ), dividing the two Koreas, which is a traditional site for senior US officials to visit.

The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

Trump’s helicopter turned back just after five minutes, due to bad weather near the DMZ, reported the newspaper.

“It wasn’t the weather,” said the editorial.

“He was just too scared to face the glaring eyes of our troops,” it added.