Recent nuclear threats

The 2017-2018 North Korean crisis

The crisis began in 2017 when North Korea conducted missile and nuclear tests that demonstrated the country’s ability to launch long-range ballistic missiles. This also suggested that North Korea had the capacity to build a strong nuclear arsenal faster than anticipated by the US.

Tensions rose as North Korea sent an open letter to several nations, describing itself as a nuclear power and threatening with the possibility of nuclear warfare if the US tried to attack North Korea. This was also a reaction to several of US President Donald Trump’s remarks towards North Korean leader Kim-Jong-un, which were interpreted by the leader as offensive and threatening.

However, by 2018, North Korea improved its diplomatic relations with South Korea, which led to a halt of nuclear and missile tests in North Korea and later culminated...