North Korea: President Trump’s nuclear button boast the 'spasm of a lunatic'

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At a lavish New Year's Eve party at Trump's private Mar-a-Lago club, the president promised 2018 would be fantastic. He also briefly addresses the leader of North Korea's claims that he has a nuclear button on his desk. USA TODAY

North Korean state media called President Trump’s boast of having a bigger nuclear button than its leader Kim Jong Un the “spasm of a lunatic” Tuesday.

Rodong Sinmun, the ruling Workers’ Party's newspaper, spoke out in an editorial after Trump tweeted on Jan. 3: “North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the “Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.” Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!”

Trump’s tweet came a day after Kim said in a speech: “The United States should know that the button for nuclear weapons is on my table,” according to the Associated Press. Kim claimed the weapons were capable of reaching the entire U.S. mainland. 

It followed an escalating war of words between Trump and Kim, amid global concerns that nuclear war could break out.

More: Trump: My nuclear button is 'much bigger' than Kim Jong Un's

More: No, Trump doesn't have a button to launch nuclear weapons. But, he does have a 'football'

More: North Korea reveals images of new ballistic missile — and it's a monster

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Pope Francis warned against the dangers of nuclear war on Monday before setting off on a trip to Chile and Peru, saying he is afraid of what could happen. Time

The United States and Canada will host a meeting in Vancouver on Tuesday aimed at raising pressure on North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program.

Foreign ministers and officials from 20 nations will be in attendance. 

The meeting was announced after Pyongyang tested its biggest intercontinental ballistic missile it said was capable of striking the U.S. mainland in November.

Delegates will discuss ways to ensure the enforcement of United Nations sanctions, including limiting North Korea’s access to refined petroleum products, crude oil and industrial goods, Reuters reported.