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Donald Trump says he’d be ‘honoured’ to meet with North Korean despot Kim Jong-un to discuss hermit state’s nuclear warheads

The US leader has taken a hard-line with the tubby tyrant after a spate of missile tests

PRESIDENT Donald Trump has said he would be "absolutely honoured" to meet with crackpot dictator Kim Jong-un amid mounting tensions over North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

The US leader has taken a hard-line with the tubby tyrant after he flexed his nuclear muscles this month by unleashing his third test.

 President Donald Trump has said he would "absolutely honoured" to meet with Kim Jong-un
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President Donald Trump has said he would "absolutely honoured" to meet with Kim Jong-unCredit: Reuters
 Kim Jong-Un has refused to stop his nuclear weapons testing programme
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Kim Jong-Un has refused to stop his nuclear weapons testing programmeCredit: Reuters

But he admitted to  he would be willing to meet with Kim, who has never met a foreign leader - or left the secret state - since taking charge after his dad's death in 2011.

Trump said: "If it would be appropriate for me to meet with him, I would absolutely, I would be honoured to do it.

"If it's under the, again, under the right circumstances. But I would do that."

 President Donald Trump has taken a hard-line with Kim Jong-un
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President Donald Trump has taken a hard-line with Kim Jong-unCredit: Getty Images

He continued: "Most political people would never say that but I’m telling you under the right circumstances I would meet with him. We have breaking news.”

Tensions between the US and North Korea have escalated since Trump vowed he wouldn't let the hermit state develop a nuclear weapon capable of reaching America.

But North Korea has defiantly shown off their military might by continuing to test missiles this year.

 North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is apparently determined to become a nuclear warlord
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North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is apparently determined to become a nuclear warlordCredit: Getty Images

They have also branded US military moves in the region as acts of "intimidation and blackmail".

The situation in North Korea has fast become one of the most challenging threats to national security Trump has faced in his first 100 days President.

Military analysts have said North Korea is on course to develop a nuclear-tipped ballistic missile that could reach the US mainland as soon as 2020 - during Trump’s term in office.

He has so far remained tight-lipped about his strategy with dealing with North Korea's ballistic missile testing.

 Kim Jong-Uns military undergo fearsome exercises along the coast of North Korea
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Kim Jong-Uns military undergo fearsome exercises along the coast of North KoreaCredit: EPA

But after their third test fire flop this month, a huge US warship sailed within "striking distance" of the country.

The Trump administration has also promised a raft of new economic sanctions and military manoeuvres may be speedily deployed after the rocket threat.

A source revealed new naval drills and more war ships could be sent to the region in a further show of force.

The President then warned of a "major, major conflict" with Kim Jong-un's secret state if it doesn't fall into line.

 Kim Jong-un unleashed a third missile test fire on Saturday
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Kim Jong-un unleashed a third missile test fire on SaturdayCredit: AP:Associated Press

And China ordered it to stand down its rocket testing or risk harsh sanctions.

In a failed test, a missile was launched from Pukchang Airfield north of the capital Pyongyang at about 9.30pm GMT on Saturday.

US officials confirmed they had tracked the medium range weapon, which may have been nuclear capable, and that President Trump had been informed.

He later tweeted: "North Korea disrespected the wishes of China & its highly respected President when it launched, though unsuccessfully, a missile today. Bad!"


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