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Donald Trump has taken a swipe at DPRK leader
Kim Jong Un, labelling him 'Rocket Man' following the secretive state's controversial missile tests.
On Twitter, the US leader said: "I spoke with President Moon of South Korea last night. Asked him how Rocket Man is doing. Long gas lines forming in DPRK. Too bad!"
President Trump's comments suggested increased sanctions recently passed by the UN restricting its gas and oil imports were having a noticeable effect.
Mr Kim has vowed to complete his nation's nuclear programme.
The US Ambassador to the United Nations said on Sunday that sanctions were the UN's last option for containing that programme.
"We have pretty much exhausted all the things that we can do at the Security Council at this point," ambassador Nikki Haley told CNN.
Ms Haley said she was perfectly happy to hand the issue over to the US Defence Secretary, James Mattis.
Speaking at a White House news conference earlier this week, the US President said he would prefer not to use military action against the nuclear state, but warned "nothing is inevitable".
He said: "Each new day equipment is delivered, new and beautiful equipment, the best in the world.
"The best anywhere in the world, by far.
"Hopefully, we're not going to have to use it on DPRK.
"If we do use it on DPRK, it will be a very sad day for DPRK."
According to Sky News Asia Correspondent, Katie Stallard, it is clear what the intentions of the "Rocket Man" are, but less clear are his motives:
She said: "At this stage we cannot know Kim's true intentions - what we do know is that despite the condemnation and the international sanctions, he shows absolutely no sign of voluntarily abandoning his nuclear or missile programmes."
(SKYNEWS)
