Since July 28, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and President Trump have exchanged ever more heated threats over North Korea’s rapid development of nuclear weapons that could strike the U.S. mainland.
Here’s a timeline of events that have moved the two nations closer to confrontation.
July 28: North Korea launches its second intercontinental ballistic missile this month, sending the projectile 600 miles into the Sea of Japan. Trump said in a statement that North Korea’s test launch “is only the latest reckless and dangerous action by the North Korean regime.”
July 29: Kim said the latest missile test shows that his country can hit the U.S. mainland. The view is shared by U.S. analysts who say a stretch from Los Angeles and Chicago now appears technically within range of the North’s weapons.
July 30: The U.S. flew two B-1 bombers over South Korea in a show of force after North Korea’s missile test. Vice President Pence said the U.S. and its allies plan to increase pressure on North Korea to end its nuclear program. “The era of strategic patience is over,” Pence said. “The president of the United States is leading a coalition of nations to bring pressure to bear until that time that North Korea will permanently abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile program.”
Aug. 1: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the United States does not seek a regime change in North Korea and would agree to a dialogue with the secretive nation if it abandons its nuclear weapons program.
Aug. 2: The U.S. Air Force successfully test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile from the California coast. The unarmed Minuteman 3 missile was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, about 130 miles northwest of Los Angeles. It was the fourth such test this year.
Aug. 5: The United Nations Security Council unanimously approved tough new U.S.-drafted sanctions against North Korea that include a ban on coal and other exports worth over $1 billion.
Aug. 6: China’s foreign minister urged North Korea to halt its missile and nuclear testing, one day after China and Russia joined with the United States in the U.N. sanctions vote.
Aug. 7: North Korea responded to the sanctions by saying it would launch “thousands-fold” revenge against the United States.
Aug. 8: Trump lashed out at North Korea. saying the rogue regime risks “fire and fury like the world has never seen” after The Washington Post reported that the communist nation has produced a miniaturized nuclear warhead that can fit inside its missiles.
Aug. 9: North Korea threatened a missile strike on the U.S. territory of Guam in the South Pacific, where the U.S. has military installations, according to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency.
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