Guam governor pleased with Trump's tough talk on North Korea
HAGÅTÑA, Guam — Guam Gov. Eddie Calvo said he was glad President Trump's address to the United Nations used strong words to respond to North Korea's threats to launch missile attacks against Guam or any part of the United States.
"Any attack on Guam, I want Kim Jong Un to know, that would probably mean the destruction of North Korea," Calvo said when asked for comment, hours after Trump addressed the United Nations.
Trump, in his address Tuesday, threatened to "totally destroy" North Korea if the United States is forced to defend itself or its allies in East Asia.
More: At United Nations, Trump threatens to 'totally destroy North Korea' if it continues on nuclear path
"Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime," Trump told the 193-member U.N. General Assembly, using a mocking nickname for the North Korean leader. Denouncing Pyongyang's "reckless" pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, Trump warned he would be prepared to take military action.
"The United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea," Trump said Tuesday.
Guam has been in the world spotlight since August, when the North Korean leader ratcheted up his threats to attack Guam, and followed them up with missile launches, including launches over Japan.
Guam is located about 2,100 miles from Pyongyang, North Korea, and one missile traveled about 2,300 miles, over northern Japan.
More: Is North Korea in the UN? Yes, it is among most sanctioned members
"We hate to see so much loss of life, but for someone as crazy as Kim Jong Un, you got to do it in as simple and as primal sense as possible. And I don't know how it could be much simpler than that," Calvo said in an interview after addressing the Guam Contractors Association membership Wednesday.
"If I were Kim Jong Un and I knew the consequence of firing a missile to Guam or any other part of the United States meant the destruction of my country, maybe I wouldn't want to let you be so. So I'm glad he (Trump) made some very strong statements, what potentially can occur for any attack," Calvo said.
Contributing: David Jackson, Paste BN. Follow Haidee V Eugenio on Twitter: @haidee_eugenio
More: Ahead of U.N. meetings, Trump aides call for more pressure on North Korea
More: U.S. shows military might, flies stealth jets and bombers over the Korean Peninsula
More: Japan residents advised to take cover as North Korea launches missile
More: North Korea threatens to 'sink' Japan and turn U.S. to 'ashes and darkness'