On Sun., April 16, North Korea’s attempted missile launch failed.  This weapons test came the day after Kim Jong Un’s regime held a military parade on the nation’s most important holiday.  Both events serve to show off North Korea’s military power and possible aggressionist policies.  Following these events, the communist nation threatened to engage in nuclear war with the United States.

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What took place in North Korea last week is very concerning in that they are testing highly destructive nuclear weapons and missiles. I don’t think our President will act upon this but it definitely is in the country’s best interest to make sure this doesn’t lead to nuclear war.

— Angelle Garcia

On the “Day of the Sun,” one of the nation’s most celebrated holidays, North Koreans commemorate the birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung, the current leader’s grandfather.  It was during the military parade that one of the leader’s aides delivered a warning to the United States, stating that “if the United States wages reckless provocation against us, our revolutionary power will instantly counter with annihilating strike…”.  Vice President Mike Pence delivered a thinly veiled warning in response to this threat, stating that the era of “strategic patience” towards North Korea has ended, to which North Korea responded by threatening to raze US military bases in South Korea.

“Our current relations with North Korea worry me a lot, especially considering that if we were to engage in a war with them, it could involve nuclear weapons”  freshman James Lewis said.

Following North Korea’s statements during the parade. the nation staged a failed missile launch.  This display of power quickly turned into a national embarrassment when the weapon “blew up almost immediately”.  The Obama and Trump Administration have made plans to deploy the THAAD system to South Korea as a preemptive measure.  THAAD, which stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, serves as an anti-ballistic missile defense system designed to detect and later intercept ballistic missiles.  This controversial move on behalf of the United States government has angered both the Chinese and even some in South Korea, whom the program is intended to protect.