N. Korea calls Trump a 'psychopath'

Despite worldwide condemnation and sanctions, North Korea has a small nuclear arsenal and is developing nuclear-capable ballistic missiles that threaten Japan and South Korea - and one day could even hit some USA cities.

"China understands that the United States regards North Korea as our top security threat", said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. She said the US would be consulting with China on implementation of U.N. Security Council resolutions that are meant to restrict revenue and technology for the North's nuclear and missile programs.

Among several politicians in attendance, including officials from the state and defence departments was the Ohio Senator Rob Portman, who had been involved in the quest to bring him home.

Otto Warmbier, 22, died on Monday due to his treatment at the hands of the North Korean regime, though exact details on his ordeal remain unclear.

He says the student, Otto Warmbier, had gone there a healthy man and ended up dead after "a minor act of mischief".

Chicago: A long line of mourners waited to enter funeral services early on Thursday for Otto Warmbier, the U.S. student imprisoned in North Korea who returned home last week in a coma that proved fatal. "There is no way that we can look at a situation like this with any kind of understanding".

Tillerson's remarks followed a meeting at the State Department with Mattis, Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and General Fang Fenghui, chief of the People's Liberation Army's Joint Staff Department.

South Korea's Defense Ministry said the bombers engaged in routine exercises with its fighter jets aimed at deterring the North.

Beijing is increasingly caught in the middle of the Trump administration's showdown with Pyongyang.

Wednesday brought yet another round of talks between the U.S. and China, in which the two superpowers once again discussed the threat posed by North Korea. "If nuclear war happens on the Korean Peninsula, it is a fratricidal war". And Tillerson, like Trump before him, said it could do a lot more on that front.

Dealing with North Korea's nuclear ambitions has become U.S. president Donald Trump's biggest security challenge, and the isolated communist state has been sanctioned by the global community for testing nuclear weapons and launching missiles.

Thornton said talks would cover the South China Sea, where Beijing's island-building and construction of possible military facilities have rattled neighbors and caused tension with Washington; U.S.

"While competition between our nations is bound to occur, conflict is not inevitable", he said.

China has committed to resolve all disputes peacefully and in line with worldwide law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), he added.

Trump tweeted ahead of Wednesday's talks that Beijing's efforts to sway Pyongyang weren't working.

Susan Thornton, acting assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said that the first meeting of the new "US-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue" on Wednesday would focus on North Korea.

Neither Mattis or Tillerson made mention - nor were asked - about Trump's tweet.

Warmbier's death has considerably strained tensions between Washington and Pyongyang, which have always been at loggerheads over North Korea's nuclear missile program and the installation of a controversial American missile defense system in South Korea.

Also Tuesday, the USA flew two supersonic B-1B bombers over the Korean Peninsula.

"I do like President Xi", he told the crowd Wednesday evening.

Many raised concerns regarding the health and condition of those still imprisoned in North Korea, and for the people who live there. The ultimate aim is for North Korea to give up its nuclear arms programs altogether.

"Walking around the hallways at school, you don't really expect seniors to come up to you as a freshman", Klein said.