Trump Believes N. Korean Leader Starting to 'Respect' US

Donald Trump says he believes that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is starting to "respect" the United States.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US President Donald Trump considers that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is starting to "respect" the United States and that it may lead to some "positive" results.

"But Kim Jong Un, I respect the fact that I believe he is starting to respect us… and maybe, probably not, something positive can come about," Trump said Tuesday in Phoenix, Arizona.

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that Washington hopes that the level of restraint North Korea has demonstrated after the new UN Security Council resolution could lead to dialogue with Pyongyang in near future.

The situation on the Korean peninsula has become aggravated in recent months due to a series of missile launches and nuclear tests conducted by Pyongyang in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. On July 4 and July 28, Pyongyang conducted tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). On August 5, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2371, which further tightens sanctions imposed on North Korea.

Pyongyang in response vowed to use any means possible to retaliate against the United States. In turn, Trump warned that North Korea's threats against the United States would be met with "fire and fury."

Following Trump's statement, Pyongyang said it was considering an attack near the Pacific island of Guam, where several US military bases are located. However later North Korea’s state media reported that its leader had decided to wait and see what the United States does next.