International security

US 'will meet horrible nuclear strike and miserable and final ruin' if it opts for war, North Korea threatens as Japan deploys another missile defence system against Kim's rockets

North Korea has threatened the US with a 'horrible nuclear strike' and 'miserable and final ruin' after the Stalinist dictatorship was subject to further sanctions. 

It comes amid high tensions on the Korean peninsula after Pyongyang carried out its sixth nuclear test and fired two missiles over Japan in the space of less than a month.

As a response, Japan today deployed an additional missile defence system on its northern island of Hokkaido while yesterday the US and South Korea held live-fire bombing drills using advanced aircraft. 

But North Korea state newspaper Rodong Sinmun has claimed its nuclear programme is merely a 'deterrence' system designed for self-defence.