A senior South Korean official says U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's first explicit comment on the North Korean nuclear issue is a "clear warning" to Pyongyang.

In a message posted to Twitter Monday, Trump dismissed North Korea's recent claim of being close to developing a nuclear weapon capable of hitting the U.S., saying in his words "it won't happen."

Foreign Ministry spokesman Cho June-hyuck told reporters Tuesday the tweet echoes the shared sense of urgency in Seoul and Washington about North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

He says Trump's social media message is being interpreted as a sign of support for strong sanctions and pressure against the North, and close cooperation with South Korea.

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