WORLD WAR 3: Kim Jong-Un demands 'recognition' as North Korea tells US to ready for war

Chung In Moon, special adviser to the South Korean President, said the despot leader wanted to “devote himself” to the “economic prosperity of North Korea”.

The US Treasury Department earlier this week announced new sanctions on Chinese and Russian entities that help fund and facilitate North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

Despot Kim Jong-un has sent Donald Trump a dire warning through the hermit state’s propaganda network in the wake of weeks of escalating tension. 

But speaking on Channel 4 News, Chung In Moon said he hoped the dictator would push for a “peaceful environment”.

He said: “Kim Jong-Un wants a dialogue, Kim Jong-Un wants recognition, Kim Jong-Un wants a peaceful environment so he can devote himself to the economic prosperity of North Korea.”

Asked if that was all the North Korean leader wanted, he replied: “Yeah, very simple.”

Amid an ever-tightening spiral of threat and counter-threat, North Korea warned America to prepare for an outright attack in retaliation for joint military drills between the USA and South Korea. 

These drills, held annually, are detested in North Korea where they are seen as preparation for an invasion by Kim’s Western enemies. 

The dictator said via a state-run news agency: “The Trump group’s declaration of the reckless nuclear war exercises against the DPRK … is a reckless behaviour driving the situation into the uncontrollable phase of a nuclear war.

Pyongyang also reiterated its claim the United States was now in direct threat of a military strike, warning Hawaii, Guam and the American mainland cannot “dodge the merciless strike”. 

The rogue state added it was on “high alert” and ready to lash out at the slightest provocation. 

The propaganda report said: “The Korean People’s Army is keeping a high alert, fully ready to contain the enemies. It will take resolute steps the moment even a slight sign of the preventive war is spotted.”

Coupled with the United Nations Security Council resolution passed earlier this month, new sanctions are intended to further isolate companies and individuals outside of North Korea that provide key support to Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions.