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Donald Trump defends Joe Biden against North Korea 'rabid dog' attack

US President Donald Trump has stepped in to defend his rival, Joe Biden: REUTERS
US President Donald Trump has stepped in to defend his rival, Joe Biden: REUTERS

Donald Trump has stepped in to defend his Democratic rival Joe Biden against a personal attack from North Korea who labelled the former vice president a “rabid dog”.

The US President tweeted his unlikely defence on Sunday, saying that although Mr Biden was “very slow” and “sleepy”, he is “somewhat better” than a rabid dog.

It came after North Korea’s state media stepped up an attack on Mr Biden, however it was not made clear what provoked the vitriol.

On Friday, misspelling his name, North Korea’s official KCNA news agency said Mr Biden was showing signs of "the final stage of dementia," and the "time has come for him to depart his life."

The Biden presidential campaign had earlier released an ad condemning Mr Trump's foreign policy, saying that "dictators and tyrants are praised, our allies pushed aside".

North Korea's commentary continued: "Such a guy had the temerity to dare slander the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK.

"It was the last-ditch efforts of the rabid dog expediting his death," KCNA said.

"Rabid dogs like Baiden can hurt lots of people if they are allowed to run about. They must be beaten to death with a stick, before it is too late."

On Sunday afternoon, Mr Trump tweeted a link to a story about the attack, with the caption: “Mr. Chairman, Joe Biden may be Sleepy and Very Slow, but he is not a 'rabid dog.'

"He is actually somewhat better than that, but I am the only one who can get you where you have to be. You should act quickly, get the deal done. See you soon!”

It has been suggested that the President's sign off could be hinting to another meeting between the two leaders.

In the same commentary, the KCNA credited a "close personal relationship" between Mr Kim and Mr Trump for saving ties between their countries from a destructive pattern of hostility.

Joe Biden was labelled a 'rabid dog' by North Korea (AP)
Joe Biden was labelled a 'rabid dog' by North Korea (AP)

The leaders have met three times to discuss improving ties and ending the North's nuclear weapons program.

The President's tweet comes amid an impeachment investigation into Mr Trump's push for Ukraine to announce an investigation into Mr Biden and his son, Hunter.

In a statement, Mr Biden responded to the attacks saying: "It seems that murderous dictator Kim Jong Un doesn't like me.

"Add him to the list of autocrats who don't want me to be president - right next to Vladimir Putin. I wear their insults as a badge of honor."

A spokesman for Mr Biden’s campaign, Andrew Bates said: "It's becoming more and more obvious that repugnant dictators, as well as those who admire and 'love' them, find Joe Biden threatening," said Andrew Bates, a spokesman for Biden's presidential campaign.

"That's because he'd restore American leadership in the world on day one by putting our security, interests, and values at the heart of our foreign policy."