The United States and North Korea: Keeping Up
The escalating hostility between the United States and North Korea is anything but old news. With the threat of nuclear war hanging over the heads of the American and Korean people, the long-term rivalry is far from over.
North Korea and the United States have been at odds since the beginning of the Korean War in 1950 when the US allied with South Korea against the communist government of North Korea. The Korean War ended in an armistice in July 1953, and Korea was divided into two territories: the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North) and the Republic of Korea (South).
After the armistice was signed on October 1, 1953, the US and the R.O.K. signed the Mutual Defense Treaty declaring American aid to the Republic of Korea in the face of war. As talk of World War III heightens, the treaty between the two nations has been receiving more attention.
However, the Mutual Defense Treaty is not the only incentive keeping the US and North Korea in a stand-off. President Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un have been issuing threats regarding nuclear war. North Korea's interest in creating nuclear weapons dates back all the way to the 1950s when North Korea first began acquiring knowledge about nuclear weapons.
Although treaties and agreements temporarily halted North Korea's development of nuclear weapons, no negotiations have successfully combated North Korea's desire to be on a level playing field with the US.
In July 2006, North Korea launched seven ballistic missiles as well as also their first test of nuclear weapons. Since 2006, North Korean missiles have progressively become more deadly and destructive. On September 3, 2017, North Korea piloted what they claimed to be a hydrogen bomb, and successfully completed their largest nuclear test.
The most recent concern for US citizens is whether or not the US and North Korea are on the brink of war. Trump issued a tweet on September 23, regarding the Foreign Minister of North Korea.
The tweet said, "Just heard Foreign Minister of North Korea speak at U.N. If he echoes thoughts of Little Rocket Man, they won't be around much longer!"
North Korea has interpreted the tweet as a declaration of war and claims to have the right to shoot down US strategic bombers.
The US and North Korea have delayed nuclear war for decades despite their rivalry. Whether or not peace can be salvaged or if war is inevitable is still left unclear.
