North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho says that U.S. President Donald Trump has declared war against his country, and Pyongyang will defend itself by shooting down American bombers if necessary.
 
[Sound bite: North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho (Korean)]
"As you already know, for the last few days the United Nations and the international community sincerely wished that the war of words between the DPRK and the United States does not turn into real actions."
"However, last weekend Trump once again said that our leadership will not last, making a declaration of war."
 
Ri's comments were a response to Trump's Saturday tweet that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his regime "won't be around much longer."
 
The top diplomat on Monday told reporters in front of his New York hotel that it is clearly a declaration of war because those were words by an incumbent American president. 
 
Ri's remarks came two days after U.S. B-1B bombers flew in international airspace off North Korea's eastern coast.
 
The minister said that since the U.S. has declared war, his country will have every right to make counter-measures, including the right to shoot down U.S. strategic bombers even when they do not fly into its airspace. He added that the question of who won't be around much longer will be answered then.

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