Take hydrogen bomb threat 'literally': N-Korean official

A senior North Korean official warned the United States to take Pyongyang's hydrogen bomb threat 'literally', contending that the country has always delivered on its words.

In reference to North Korean foreign minister Ri Yong Ho's threat at the United Nations General Assembly last month about testing a powerful hydrogen bomb over the Pacific Ocean, Ri Yong Pil said the country "has always brought its words into action."

"The foreign minister is very well aware of the intentions of our supreme leader, so I think you should take his words literally," CNN quoted Ri Yong Pil as saying.

The treat was delivered soon after United States President Donald Trump said at a UN speech that he would 'totally destroy' North Korea in defense of the U.S. or its allies.

At the interview, Ri also declined having diplomatic channels with U.S., contrary to the claims of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

"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," Ri said.

The United States and North Korea have long been engaged in back-and-forth barbs over the latter's threat of a nuclear attack.

The tension escalated when North Korea said the military is "preparing and examining" a plan to launch a missile strike on the strategic U.S. Pacific territory of Guam, just hours after President Donald Trump warned the regime that any threat to the United States would be met with "fire and fury".

North Korea jolted major world leaders when it carried out the strongest of its six-ever nuclear tests in early September, claiming to have used a hydrogen bomb.

The act invited rigorous sanctions from the UN against the country.