North Korea accuses US of creating situation for nuclear war; Kremlin TV says Trump 'dangerous'

North Korea has accused the United States of turning the Korean Peninsula into "the world's biggest hotspot" and creating "a dangerous situation in which a thermonuclear war may break out at any moment".

On Monday, North Korea's deputy UN ambassador Kim In-ryong told a news conference "if the US dares opt for a military action," North Korea "is ready to react to any mode of war desired by the US".

He stressed US-South Korean military exercises being staged now are the largest-ever "aggressive war drill" aimed at his country.

Tensions have escalated over North Korean moves to accelerate its weapons development.

The North conducted two nuclear tests and 24 ballistic missile tests last year, defying six Security Council sanctions resolutions banning any testing, and it has conducted additional missile tests this year including one this past weekend that failed.

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Don't be fooled by 'fake' missiles

"Just in the past two weeks, the world witnessed the strength and resolve of our new President in actions taken in Syria and Afghanistan," Mr Pence said.

"North Korea would do well not to test his resolve or the strength of the armed forces of the United States in this region."

But Mr Kim accused the Trump administration of "trumpeting about 'peace by strength'" by deploying "one strategic striking means after another in South Korea".

Trump more dangerous than Kim Jong-un: Kremlin TV

Meanwhile, as Russian hopes of strengthened ties under President Trump continue to fizzle, Kremlin state media, which hailed his election win in November, made a U-turn by arguing the new US President was "more dangerous" than Kim Jong-un.

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