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The U.S. has officially placed North Korea on a list of countries it considers as state sponsors of terrorism in a move that should effectively allow President Trump activate more sanctions against the Kim Jong-un led government.

This line of action by the U.S. government comes as President Donald Trump returns from his Asia tour and will most likely inflame the already deteriorating relationship between both nations.

"In addition to threatening the world by nuclear devastation, North Korea has repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism, including assassinations on foreign soil," Trump told reporters at the White House.

"This designation will impose further sanctions and penalties on North Korea and related persons and supports our maximum pressure campaign to isolate the murderous regime."

Trump, who has often criticized his predecessors' policies toward Pyongyang, said the designation should have been made "a long time ago."

Experts say the designation will be largely symbolic as North Korea is already heavily sanctioned by the United States, a reality that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson seemed to acknowledged while saying it would help dissuade third parties from supporting Pyongyang.

"The practical effects may be limited but hopefully we're closing off a few loopholes with this," he told reporters.

The designation could prove counterproductive, said Harry Kazianis, director of defense studies at the conservative Center for the National Interest.

"Sadly, this action by the Trump administration just further cements a dangerous game of escalatory brinkmanship where neither side is giving the other any off-ramp," he said.