A top North Korean official says threats of an above-ground nuclear test made by the country's foreign minister should be taken "literally".
Foreign minister Ri Yong-ho told media during a visit to New York on September 23 for the United Nations General Assembly that an above-ground test could be carried out by the country over the Pacific Ocean soon.
The statement came after an inflammatory speech by US President Donald Trump in which he threatened to "totally destroy" the country.
Senior North Korea official Ri Yong Pil spoke with CNN in Pyongyang, where he said through a translator that "the foreign minister is very well aware of the intentions of our supreme leader, so I think you should take his words literally".
"[North Korea] has always brought its words into action.
"The US is talking about a military option and even practicing military moves.
"They're pressuring us on all fronts with sanctions.
"If you think this will lead to diplomacy, you're deeply mistaken."
The country's last nuclear test was carried out in September - its strongest ever - and it has continued to launch rockets out to sea, with one even passing over Japan.
The renewed threats come as US Diplomat to North Korea says peace talks between the two countries are on their "last legs".
NBC reported that Joseph Yun had expressed frustration with the White House not taking the situation urgently enough.
Senator Chris Murphy told MSNBC that the talks are now on "life support".
"President Trump is deploying what is perhaps the worst negotiating strategy in the history of the American presidency," he was quoted as saying.
"It’s not just he’s out there calling this guy [Kim Jong Un] names, it’s that he is publicly undercutting his Department of State by tweeting out that Rex Tillerson does not have his support and cannot talk and negotiate on his behalf."
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