a peaceful pressure campaign. he said the president calls it a massive pressure campaign. either way, though, important to point out this is a diplomatic move, not a military one, designed to rain in north korea's nuclear ambitions. >> today, the united states is designating north korea as a state sponsor of terrorism. should have happened a long time ago. >> reporter: president trying to tighten the noos on north korea. putting the regime back on the list as a state sponsor of terrorism. >> this designation will impose further sanctions and penalties on north korea and related persons and supports our max much pressure campaign to isolate the murderous regime. >> reporter: during a cabinet meeting at the white house today, the president unveiling the latest punitive action against kim jong-un. later in the white house briefing room, secretary of state rex tillerson said the symbolism of the move outweighed the practical effects. >> it is very symbolic on the one hand because it just points