Kim Jong-un 'said things he should never have said'

President Trump is ready to use military action with "devastating" force if necessary, after North Korea threatened to shoot down a US aircraft.

US President Donald Trump at a press conference in the Rose Garden on September 26. Photo: Reuters

President Donald Trump said on September 26 that a military strike was “not a popular option.” However, the US was “fully prepared” to pursue this path if necessary.

"If we go with that option, it will be devastating, I can tell you. Devastating," Trump said at a press conference in the White House Rose Garden. "If we have to do it, we will do it."

Speaking about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Mr. Trump said that Mr. Kim "behaved very badly" and "said things that should never have been said."

The US president said his response was only in response to rhetoric from Pyongyang. He also condemned the situation there, criticizing previous US administrations for leaving behind "a mess". "I'm going to fix the mess," Mr Trump said. "We'll see what happens."

Mr Trump spoke as US defence officials said North Korea had deployed a small number of fighter jets and missiles to a base on its east coast to boost military readiness. North Korea on September 25 threatened to shoot down US aircraft flying off its coast even if they were in international airspace.

US defense officials say Washington maintains enough air surveillance and radar capabilities in the area to know any military aircraft taking off from North Korea.

According to VNE