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North Korea has said US missile strikes against a Syrian airfield were "an unforgivable act of aggression" that showed its decision to develop nuclear weapons was "the right choice a million times over".
Key points:
- North Korea says US strikes vindicates decision to strengthen its military power
- Kim Jong-un has exchanged pledges of friendship and cooperation with Bashar al-Assad
- Mr Trump earlier spoke of an "outstanding" relationship with North Korea's ally China
The response by North Korea's foreign ministry, carried by the official KCNA news agency, was the first since US warships launched dozens of missiles at a Syrian air base which the Pentagon says was involved in a chemical weapons attack earlier in the week.
"The US missile attack against Syria is a clear and unforgivable act of aggression against a sovereign state and we strongly condemn this," KCNA quoted an unnamed spokesman for the North Korean foreign ministry as saying.
"The reality of today proves our decision to strengthen our military power to stand against force with force was the right choice a million times over," KCNA said.
Diplomatically-isolated North Korea considers Syria a key ally.
KCNA said its leader, Kim Jong-un, and Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad exchanged messages of warm wishes, and pledges of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Mr Assad thanked Mr Kim for recognising the Syrian struggle to "meet such challenges as sinister actions of the world's terrorists, and encouraged Syria to successfully weather the crisis without fail," KCNA said.
Syria has denied it carried out the chemical attack.
The US strikes came as President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping in Florida to press the leader of North Korea's sole diplomatic ally to do more to curb Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.
North Korea is believed to be developing missiles capable of hitting the United States and a nuclear arsenal in defiance of UN sanctions.
It has conducted five nuclear tests — two since the beginning of last year — and scores of missile tests.
UK Foreign Secretary cancels Russia visit
Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson cancelled a planned trip to Russia because of fast-moving events in Syria.
Mr Johnson said the situation in Syria has changed "fundamentally" following the chemical attack and the US response.
He condemned Russia's continued defence of Mr Assad "even after the chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians".
He had planned to travel to Russia on Monday on a trip intended to start a fresh dialogue with Moscow.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson plans to meet with G-7 foreign ministers in Europe next week before going on to Moscow.
Mr Johnson said Mr Tillerson would be able to give a "clear and coordinated message to the Russians".
Reuters
Topics: unrest-conflict-and-war, world-politics, korea-democratic-people-s-republic-of, syrian-arab-republic, united-states
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