Leading up to the formal statement regarding their weapons on August 8, North Korea has been improving the capabilities of their nuclear weapons and preparing to test them. Hostile relations between the United States and North Korea developed during the Korean War, and have now hit an all time low, after two intercontinental ballistic missiles (I.C.B.M.s) were tested in Pyongyang, North Korea on July 25. According to CNN.com, these missiles could reach anywhere in the world and Kim Jong-un threatened attacks on territories of the U.S. and South Korea.

United States President Donald Trump took to Twitter to respond to these threats. On July 3, the President tweeted, “North Korea has just launched another missile. Does this guy have anything better to do with his life? Hard to believe that South Korea and Japan will put up with this much longer. Perhaps China will put a heavy move on North Korea and end this nonsense once and for all!”

Following this, on August 8 at an event at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club, Trump states, “They will be met with fire and fury and frankly power, the likes of which this world has never seen before,” according to the Washington Post. North Korea responded by saying they were considering attacking the U.S. territory of Guam in mid-August.

Days after, North Korea backed down on their threat, after leader Kim Jong-un made the decision to postpone, or hopefully, diminish any threat of attacks against South Korea and Guam. Donald Trumps remarks of the United States have nuclear weapons of its own ‘locked and loaded’ is believed to be the reason why North Korea has not made any more advances.

However, there has been no more news of a possible attack. Relating to a possible threat, U.S.A. Today reported that, “On the Korean Peninsula, the State Department has not advised American citizens to leave the country and U.S. military family members are not being evacuated. No Marines are being loaded on amphibious ships; no sailors have been recalled off leave to prepare for emergency operations; and no ballistic missile defense ships have been sortied to North Korea, the waters off Japan or to Guam, three sources said.”

Many military officials have assured the public that there is no foreseeable threat to the United States, however many citizens already fear for the future. Sophomore Rory Sedgley commented on the situation, saying, “I feel like World War 3 could happen any day now. I think the United States and its allies should discuss a more peaceful approach without causing any more issues.”

Dana White, a Pentagon spokeswoman, states, “The United States seeks only the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and its commitment to its allies is ironclad.” The United States will continue to push for a diplomatic resolution with North Korea to solve the continuing Nuclear Weapon debate.