North Korea news agency: Kim Jong Un calls Trump ‘deranged,' says he will ‘pay dearly' for threats

Kim Jong Un called Donald Trump "deranged" and said the United States president will "pay dearly" for his threats, according to a North Korea-run news agency.

Un's comments came after President Trump signed an executive order that would enable the United States to sanction individual companies and institutions that finance trade with North Korea.

Earlier in the week, Trump threatened to "totally destroy" North Korea if forced to defend the U.S. or its allies.

2017 has been a rapid year of progress for North Korea, with its 22 missiles fired over 15 tests since February. That includes the country’s first intercontinental ballistic missile, launched over the summer.

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Trump made the sanctions announcement Thursday during a working luncheon with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

Trump said the measure would also disrupt other trade avenues for North Korea in efforts to halt its nuclear weapons program.

The president said "tolerance for this disgraceful practice must end now."

He also saluted China's central bank for what he said was a move to stop its banks from trading with North Korea. That development was reported by Reuters Thursday.

Cox Media Group