2017–2018 North Korea crisis: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|Period of heightened tension between North KoreaKorea–US andperiod theof UStension}}

| conflict = 2017–182017–2018 North Korea crisis

* [[Kim Jong-un Un]] becomes the first North Korean leader to visit South Korea

| commander1 = {{flagicon|North Korea}} [[Kim Jong-un Un]]

The '''2017–182017–2018 North Korea crisis''' was a period of heightened tension between [[North Korea]] and the [[United States]] throughout 2017. The crisis began early in the year2017 when [[North Korea]] conducted a series of missile and nuclear tests that demonstrated the country's ability to launch [[ballistic missile]]s beyond its immediate region, suggesting their [[North Korea and weapons of mass destruction|nuclear weapons capability]] was developing at a faster rate than had been assessed by [[United States Intelligence Community|U.S. intelligence]].<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/25/us/politics/north-korea-missiles.html Intelligence Agencies Say North Korean Missile Could Reach U.S. in a Year] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114143056/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/25/us/politics/north-korea-missiles.html |date=January 14, 2018 }} NYT, July 25, 2017.</ref><ref name="nkmaking" /><ref>[http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/07/north-korea-missile-tests-170706081545433.html Three things to know about North Korea's missile tests: With advances in its long-range missile programme, here are three technical milestones and why they matter.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171102172050/http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/07/north-korea-missile-tests-170706081545433.html |date=November 2, 2017 }} Aljazeera, September 3, 2017.</ref> Both countries started exchanging increasingly heated rhetoric, including nuclear threats and personal attacks between the two leaders, which, compounded by a [[Ulchi-Freedom Guardian|joint U.S.–South Korea military exercise]] undertaken in August and North Korea's [[2017 North Korean nuclear test|sixth nuclear test]] in September, raised international tensions in the region and beyond and stoked fears about a possible nuclear conflict between the two nations.<ref name="guamskorjap">[https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/09/world/asia/north-korea-guam-japan-targets.html North Korea's Potential Targets: Guam, South Korea and Japan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112061152/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/09/world/asia/north-korea-guam-japan-targets.html |date=January 12, 2018 }} NYT, August 9, 2017.</ref> In addition, North Korea also threatened [[Australia]] twice with nuclear strikes throughout the year for their allegiance with the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-22/north-korea-accuses-australia-of-blindly-following-the-us/8464252|title=Defiant Bishop fires back over North Korean nuclear threat|last1=Reporter|first1=Defence|last2=Greene|first2=rew|date=2017-04-22|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-02-10|archive-date=2020-01-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108054401/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-22/north-korea-accuses-australia-of-blindly-following-the-us/8464252|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-15/north-korea-warns-australia-face-disaster-continues-support-us/9051156|title=North Korea warns Australia will face disaster if it continues to support US|date=2017-10-15|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-02-10|archive-date=2018-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924185856/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-15/north-korea-warns-australia-face-disaster-continues-support-us/9051156|url-status=live}}</ref> International relations lecturer and former government strategist Van Jackson said in the book ''On the Brink: Trump, Kim, and the Threat of Nuclear War'' that it was the closest the world had come to nuclear war since the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Jackson |first=Van |date=2018 |title=On the Brink: Trump, Kim, and the Threat of Nuclear War |url=https://www.amazon.com/Brink-Trump-Kim-Threat-Nuclear-ebook/dp/B07HKLG39Y |publisher=Cambridge University Press |page=159 |isbn=978-1108473484}}</ref>

Tensions began to easedecline in 2018, with North Korea announcing the restoration of the [[Seoul–Pyongyang hotline]] and agreeing to hold talks with [[South Korea]] about participation in the [[2018 Winter Olympics]] in [[Pyeongchang, South Korea|Pyeongchang]]. Diplomatic activity flourished during the next few months, with the suspension of nuclear and missile tests by North Korea, and the [[April 2018 inter-Korean summit|2018 inter-Korean summit in late April]] which culminated in the signing of the [[Panmunjom Declaration]] on 27 April 2018. An unprecedented [[2018 North Korea–United States Singapore Summit|bilateral summit between Kim and Trump]] was held in Singapore on 12 June 2018. It resulted in a joint declaration calling for the "full denuclearization of the Korean peninsula". A [[2019 North Korea–United States Hanoi Summit|second summit]] between Kim and Trump took place in [[Hanoi]], [[Vietnam]] on 27–28 February 2019.<ref name="aljazeera.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/02/kim-jong-arrive-vietnam-feb-25-trump-summit-190216135740942.html|title=Kim Jong Un to arrive in Vietnam on Feb 25 ahead of Trump summit|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=2019-02-16|archive-date=2019-05-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527040203/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/02/kim-jong-arrive-vietnam-feb-25-trump-summit-190216135740942.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Though talks there broke down, [[2019 North Korea–United States DMZ Summit|a third summit]] took place in the [[Korean Demilitarized Zone]] (DMZ) on 30 June 2019, with Trump becoming the first sitting US leaderpresident to visit North Korea. Follow-up talks later in 2019, however, broke down within hours.<ref>David E. Sanger, [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/05/us/politics/trump-north-korea-nuclear.html U.S. Nuclear Talks With North Korea Break Down in Hours] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308001515/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/05/us/politics/trump-north-korea-nuclear.html |date=2020-03-08 }}, ''New York Times'' (October 5, 2019).</ref>

In his New Year's Day speech on January 2, 2017, [[Kim Jong-un Un]], the leader of North Korea, said that the country was in the "last stage" of preparations to test-fire an [[intercontinental ballistic missile]] (ICBM).<ref name="KCNA Jan 2, 2017">{{cite news|title=Kim Jong Un's 2017 New Year's Address (KCNA – speech full text) |first=Jong-Un |last=Kim |url=http://www.ncnk.org/resources/news-items/kim-jong-uns-speeches-and-public-statements-1/kim-jong-uns-2017-new-years-address |newspaper=[[Korean Central News Agency]] – National Committee On North Korea |access-date=January 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170111073915/http://www.ncnk.org/resources/news-items/kim-jong-uns-speeches-and-public-statements-1/kim-jong-uns-2017-new-years-address |archive-date=January 11, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On May 3, North Korea issued a rare and harshly worded criticism of its chief ally, China, stating that "One must clearly understand that the D.P.R.K.'s line of access to nukes for the existence and development of the country can neither be changed nor shaken[...] And that the D.P.R.K. will never beg for the maintenance of friendship with China, risking its nuclear program which is as precious as its own life, no matter how valuable the friendship is... China should no longer try to test the limits of the D.P.R.K.'s patience[...] China had better ponder over the grave consequences to be entailed by its reckless act of chopping down the pillar of the [[China-North Korea relations|D.P.R.K.-China relations]]." The harsh commentary also accused the Chinese media (which is tightly controlled by the government) of dancing to the tune of the U.S.<ref name="HarshChina">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/04/world/asia/north-korea-nuclear-weapons-china.html |title=North Korean Media, in Rare Critique of China, Says Nuclear Program Will Continue |last=Sang-Hun |first=Choe |date=May 4, 2017 |website=New York Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505210043/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/04/world/asia/north-korea-nuclear-weapons-china.html |archive-date=May 5, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

American university student [[Otto Warmbier]] was freed from North Korea in June 2017, while in a coma after nearly 18 months of captivity.<ref name=ABC>[https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/north-korea-releases-jailed-american-student/story?id=48005214 "Coma-stricken student released from North Korea arrives back in US"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620151237/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/north-korea-releases-jailed-american-student/story?id=48005214 |date=June 20, 2017 }}, ABC News, June 12, 2017</ref> Warmbier died without regaining consciousness on June 19, 2017, six days after his return to the United States.<ref name="wapo61917">{{cite news|last=Svrluga|first=Susan|title=Otto Warmbier dies days after release from North Korean detainment|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2017/06/19/otto-warmbier-dies-days-after-release-from-north-korean-detainmen|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628055349/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2017/06/19/otto-warmbier-dies-days-after-release-from-north-korean-detainmen/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 28, 2019|access-date=June 19, 2017|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=June 19, 2017}}{{subscription neededrequired}}</ref> Some U.S. officials blamed North Korea for his death.<ref name=death>[http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/john-mccain-otto-warmbier-murdered-by-the-kim-jong-un-regime/article/2626448 "John McCain: Otto Warmbier 'murdered by the Kim Jong-un regime'"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620014107/http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/john-mccain-otto-warmbier-murdered-by-the-kim-jong-un-regime/article/2626448 |date=June 20, 2017 }}, ''Washington Examiner'', June 19, 2017</ref> In July 2017, [[U.S. Secretary of State]] [[Rex Tillerson]] authorized a "Geographical Travel Restriction" which banned Americans from entering North Korea.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Torbati |first1=Yeganeh |last2=Lee |first2=Se Young |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-usa-tours-idUSKBN1A60SE |title=U.S. State Department to clamp ban on travel to North Korea |date=July 21, 2017 |work=Reuters |access-date=July 21, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722011806/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-usa-tours-idUSKBN1A60SE |archive-date=July 22, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

[[File:Kim Jong-un's order for first test of Hwasong 14.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Kim Jong-un Un]]'s order for the first test of [[Hwasong-14]]]]

On July 4{{efn-lr|There is a {{frac|12|1|2}} hour time difference from [[time in North Korea|North Korean local time]] to [[Eastern Daylight Time]]. The missile was launched at 9{{nbsp}}am, North Korean local time, on the morning of 4 July. This was 8:30{{nbsp}}pm Washington time on the evening of 3 July.}} North Korea conducted the first publicly announced flight test of its ICBM [[Hwasong-14]], timed to coincide with the U.S. [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] celebrations. This flight had a claimed range of {{convert|933|km|mile}} eastwards into the [[Sea of Japan]] (East Sea of Korea) and reached an altitude of {{convert|2802|km|ft}} during a 39-minute flight.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-says-icbm-an-independence-day-gift-to-american-btards-kcna|title=North Korea's Kim Jong Un says ICBM an Independence Day 'gift' to 'American b**tards': KCNA|date=July 5, 2017|newspaper=[[The Straits Times]]|access-date=September 25, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921215739/http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-says-icbm-an-independence-day-gift-to-american-btards-kcna|archive-date=September 21, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=jschilling071017>{{cite web |title=What is True and Not True About North Korea's Hwasong-14 ICBM: A Technical Evaluation |date=July 10, 2017 |publisher=[[38 North]] |quote=As was noted at the time, the Hwasong-14 was launched on a very high angle "lofted" trajectory to avoid overflying Japan, ... |url=http://www.38north.org/2017/07/jschilling071017/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718221539/http://www.38north.org/2017/07/jschilling071017/ |archive-date=July 18, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The U.S. government experts classified the missile launch as a big step in Pyongyang's quest to acquire a nuclear-tipped weapon capable of hitting the U.S.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2017/07/08/asia/us-bombers-north-korea-icbm-test/index.html US bombers fly over Korean Peninsula in response to N. Korea's ICBM test] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909233641/http://edition.cnn.com/2017/07/08/asia/us-bombers-north-korea-icbm-test/index.html |date=September 9, 2017 }} CNN, July 8, 2017.</ref> North Korea declared it was now "a full-fledged nuclear power that has been possessed of the most powerful inter-continental ballistic rocket capable of hitting any part of the world".<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40518287 Trump warns North Korea of 'severe' options over missile test] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910015916/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40518287 |date=September 10, 2017 }} BBC, July 6, 2017.</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40502361 North Korea missile: US confirms long-range test] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910032939/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40502361 |date=September 10, 2017 }} BBC, July 5, 2017.</ref>

On August 8, 2017, President Donald Trump warned that North Korean nuclear threats would "be met with fire, fury and frankly power, the likes of which the world has never seen before," after the [[mass media]] reported that a US intelligence assessment had found that the country had successfully produced a miniaturised nuclear warhead capable of fitting inside its missiles.<ref name="nkmaking" /> According to ''New York Times'' correspondent [[Michael S. Schmidt]], Trump proposed using a nuclear weapon against North Korea and blaming the attack on another country, but was dissuaded by [[John F. Kelly]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Levin |first1=Bess |title=Report: Donald Trump Wanted to Nuke North Korea and Then Blame It on Another Country |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/01/donald-trump-wanted-to-nuke-north-korea-and-blame-someone-else |access-date=12 February 2023 |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=12 January 2023}}</ref> President Trump also remarked of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un Un: "He has been very threatening beyond a normal state."<ref>[http://www.businessinsider.com/north-korea-trump-missile-threat-guam-fire-fury-2017-8 Trump promised 'fire and fury' for North Korea if it continued threats&nbsp;– hours later, it threatened strikes on Guam] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113135629/http://www.businessinsider.com/north-korea-trump-missile-threat-guam-fire-fury-2017-8 |date=November 13, 2017 }} Business Insider, August 8, 2017.</ref> Within hours, North Korea responded by announcing that it was considering attacking U.S. military bases in the [[US territory]] of [[Guam]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/08/08/north-korea-considering-firing-missile-at-guam-per-state-media.html|title=North Korea considering firing missiles at Guam, per state media|date=August 8, 2017|website=Foxnews.com|access-date=August 18, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808235030/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/08/08/north-korea-considering-firing-missile-at-guam-per-state-media.html|archive-date=August 8, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

On August 10, 2017, North Korean Lt. Gen. [[Kim Rak-gyom]] responded to Trump's speech of "fire and fury," saying his words were "nonsense" and asserting that "reasonable dialogue" wasn't possible with Trump as president of the US. The North Korean governmental news agency [[Korean Central News Agency|KCNA]] reported that Kim Jong-un Un's military was considering a plan to fire four ICBMs, type [[Hwasong-12]], into the [[Philippine Sea]] just 30–40 kilometers away from the island Guam. The flight time of missiles was estimated to be exactly 17 minutes and 45 seconds. A report by the KCNA suggested the plan would be put into operation in mid-August.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.welt.de/newsticker/news1/article167550388/Nordkorea-legt-detaillierten-Plan-fuer-Raketenangriff-Richtung-Guam-vor.html|title=Atom: Nordkorea legt detaillierten Plan für Raketenangriff Richtung Guam vor |newspaper=Die Welt|access-date=August 10, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012061626/https://www.welt.de/newsticker/news1/article167550388/Nordkorea-legt-detaillierten-Plan-fuer-Raketenangriff-Richtung-Guam-vor.html|archive-date=October 12, 2017|df=mdy-all|date=2017-08-10}}</ref> U.S. officials stated that [[Joseph Y. Yun]], the [[United States Special Representative for North Korea Policy|US envoy for North Korea policy]], and [[Pak Song-il]], a senior North Korean diplomat at the country's UN mission, were making regular contact during this dispute, through a conduit of communication they called the ''New York channel''.<ref name=NewYorkChannel>{{cite news|url=https://nypost.com/2017/08/11/white-house-has-quietly-engaged-in-back-channel-talks-with-north-korea/|title=White House has quietly engaged in back-channel talks with North Korea|author=Bob Fredericks|newspaper=New York Post|date=August 11, 2017|access-date=August 11, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811173403/http://nypost.com/2017/08/11/white-house-has-quietly-engaged-in-back-channel-talks-with-north-korea/|archive-date=August 11, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

On the same day, the UN Security Council convened to discuss further measures against North Korea;<ref name="uncallingtougher">[https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/sc12978.doc.htm Security Council Condemns Underground Nuclear Test by Democratic People's Republic of Korea, with Members Calling for Tougher Sanctions] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012061612/https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/sc12978.doc.htm |date=October 12, 2017 }} UN, September 4, 2017.</ref> the leaked draft the relevant UNSC resolution prepared by the U.S. was said to call for an oil embargo on North Korea, ban on the country's exports of textiles, on the hiring of North Korean workers abroad as well as personal sanctions against [[Kim Jong-un Un]].<ref name="indepnotolerate" /> Despite resistance from China and Russia, the United States on 8 September formally requested a vote of the United Nations Security Council on the U.S. resolution.<ref>[https://www.rferl.org/a/us-demands-un-vote-north-korea-sanctions-despite-russian-chinese-resistance-nuclear-test-/28725448.html U.S. Demands UN Vote On North Korea Sanctions Despite Russian, Chinese Resistance] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012061249/https://www.rferl.org/a/us-demands-un-vote-north-korea-sanctions-despite-russian-chinese-resistance-nuclear-test-/28725448.html |date=October 12, 2017 }} [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]], September 9, 2017.</ref> [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 2375|UNSC 2375]] passed on September 11 as a significantly watered-down version of the United States' request.<ref name="wpresol">{{cite news|last=Lederer|first=Edith M.|title=UN approves watered-down new sanctions against North Korea|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/us-calls-for-monday-vote-on-new-north-korea-sanctions/2017/09/11/4b9959f0-96a6-11e7-af6a-6555caaeb8dc_story.html|newspaper=Washington Post|date=September 11, 2017|access-date=September 12, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921100740/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/us-calls-for-monday-vote-on-new-north-korea-sanctions/2017/09/11/4b9959f0-96a6-11e7-af6a-6555caaeb8dc_story.html|archive-date=September 21, 2017}}</ref>

In an interview on September 4, [[Liu Jieyi]], China's ambassador to the United Nations, called for dialogue, saying that the issue needed to be resolved "peacefully". He said, "China will never allow chaos and war on the peninsula."<ref>[httphttps://thehill.com/policy/defense/349119-chinese-ambassador-to-the-un-china-will-never-allow-chaos-and-war-on-the/ Chinese Ambassador: China 'will never allow chaos and war' on the Korean Peninsula] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116225538/http://thehill.com/policy/defense/349119-chinese-ambassador-to-the-un-china-will-never-allow-chaos-and-war-on-the |date=November 16, 2017 }} The Hill, September 4, 2017.</ref>

President [[Vladimir Putin]] speaking to the Chinese press on September 5, 2017, described U.S. proposals for further sanctions on Pyongyang as "useless"; he said, "Ramping up military hysteria in such conditions is senseless; it's a dead end."<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/05/south-korea-minister-redeploying-us-nuclear-weapons-tensions-with-north North Korea nuclear crisis: Putin warns of planetary catastrophe: As Kim Jong-un reportedly prepares further missile launch, Russian president says further sanctions would be 'useless'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222234411/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/05/south-korea-minister-redeploying-us-nuclear-weapons-tensions-with-north |date=December 22, 2017 }} The Guardian, September 5, 2017.</ref> Russian Foreign Minister [[Sergey Lavrov]] has likened the war of words between U.S. President [[Donald Trump]] and North Korean leader [[Kim Jong-un Un]] to a kindergarten fight between two children, saying "Together with China we'll continue to strive for a reasonable approach and not an emotional one like when children in a kindergarten start fighting and no-one can stop them."<ref>"[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/donald-trump-north-korea-fight-children-kindergarten-nursery-sergei-lavrov-a7962686.html Russia says war of words between Donald Trump and North Korea is 'a fight between two children'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127083757/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/donald-trump-north-korea-fight-children-kindergarten-nursery-sergei-lavrov-a7962686.html |date=January 27, 2018 }}". ''[[The Independent]].'' 23 September 2017.</ref>

On September 21, responding directly for the first time to President Trump's threat,<ref name="War of Words">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/41359557/deranged-donald-trump-and-kim-jong-uns-war-of-words|title=Deranged! Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un's war of words|date=September 22, 2017|website=BBC|access-date=September 23, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204034842/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/41359557/deranged-donald-trump-and-kim-jong-uns-war-of-words|archive-date=December 4, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un Un in his capacity of Chairman of State Affairs of DPRK<ref name="Full English Text of Kim Jong-un's Unprecedented Personal Statement">{{cite web|url=https://kcnawatch.co/newstream/1506033115-921520320/statement-of-chairman-of-state-affairs-commission-of-dprk/|title=Statement of Chairman of State Affairs Commission of DPRK|date=September 22, 2017|website=KCNA Watch|access-date=September 23, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922145346/https://kcnawatch.co/newstream/1506033115-921520320/statement-of-chairman-of-state-affairs-commission-of-dprk/|archive-date=September 22, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> called Trump a "mentally deranged U.S. [[wikt:dotard|dotard]]" ({{lang-ko|늙다리 미치광이|Neukdari michigwangi|Old man lunatic}})<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://apnews.com/c2d919f8a5864d838e638d88ac5e8569| title=North Korean leader Kim called Trump a what? A 'dotard'| website=[[Associated Press]]| date=2017-09-22| access-date=2018-03-10| archive-date=2018-03-11| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311140748/https://apnews.com/c2d919f8a5864d838e638d88ac5e8569| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Most Read |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/09/21/a-short-history-of-the-word-dotard-which-north-korea-called-trump/ |title=What is the definition of 'dotard,' which North Korea called Trump |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=2017-09-22 |access-date=2018-04-22 |archive-date=2018-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422153256/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/09/21/a-short-history-of-the-word-dotard-which-north-korea-called-trump/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and vowed the "highest level of hard-line countermeasure in history."<ref name="nkresponse">{{cite news|title=Kim's Rejoinder to Trump's Rocket Man: 'Mentally Deranged U.S. Dotard'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/21/world/asia/kim-trump-rocketman-dotard.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 21, 2017|access-date=September 21, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922014029/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/21/world/asia/kim-trump-rocketman-dotard.html|archive-date=September 22, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> (The [[ad hominem]] insults aside, no reference was made to the "hostile policy" of the United States, a staple of North Korean statements otherwise.)<ref name="Decoding Kim's Speech">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41356973|title=Decoding Kim's speech and the Pacific threat|last=Panda|first=Ankit|date=September 22, 2017|website=BBC.com|access-date=September 23, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922214537/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41356973|archive-date=September 22, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Foreign minister [[Ri Yong-ho (politician)|Ri Yong-ho]] likewise alluded to Trump as a barking dog,<ref name="Trump as Barking Dog">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41343646|title=North Korea says Trump speech is 'a dog's bark'|date=September 21, 2017|website=BBC.com|access-date=September 23, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924020159/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41343646|archive-date=September 24, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and furthermore remarked that North Korea might be considering the largest test of a hydrogen bomb ever in the Pacific Ocean,<ref name="nkresponse" /> which would constitute the first atmospheric nuclear test in the world since 1980 (last performed by China).<ref name="Decoding Kim's Speech"/>

On September 30, Rex Tillerson stated while on a trip to China, that the U.S. and North Korea were in "direct contact". "We have lines of communications to Pyongyang" he said, "We're not in a dark situation". He further stated that the U.S. was "probing" the possibility of direct talks. "So stay tuned".<ref>{{cite news|title=North Korea and US "in direct contact" says Tillerson|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41454007|publisher=BBC|access-date=30 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930130412/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41454007|archive-date=September 30, 2017|df=mdy-all|work=BBC News|date=2017-09-30}}</ref> The [[Associated Press]] has claimed that a long-used [[Track II diplomacy|back-channel]] has been re-opened in the past months, the 'New York Channel', facilitating communication between Washington and Pyongyang.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pennington|first1=Matthew|title=Beyond bluster, US, NKorea in regular contact|url=https://apnews.com/686ac7c761694b28b67793a1d8297145|website=AP|agency=Associated Press|access-date=30 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925162625/https://apnews.com/686ac7c761694b28b67793a1d8297145|archive-date=September 25, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The next day however, Trump made a series of posts on Twitter which seemed to undermine Tillerson's efforts, claiming that Tillerson was "wasting his time" trying to negotiate with North Korea and that "we'll do what has to be done".<ref>{{cite web|title=Trump says Tillerson "wasting his time" trying to negotiate with N. Korea|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plMgfOvIoMg|website=YouTube| date=October 2017 |publisher=CBS News|access-date=1 October 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004081348/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plMgfOvIoMg|archive-date=October 4, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

[[File:Kim Jong-un meeting with South Korean envoys at the Workers' Party of Korea main building.jpg|thumb|[[Kim Jong-un Un]] meeting with South Korean envoys at the [[Workers' Party of Korea]] main building, 6 March 2018]]

The crisis had caused concern about the safety of the [[2018 Winter Olympics]] to be held in [[Pyeongchang County|Pyeongchang]] in South Korea.<ref name="in.r_Olym">{{cite news | title = Olympics: IOC monitoring North Korea crisis, 2018 Games 'on track' | work = Reuters | date = 10 August 2017 | access-date = 12 January 2018 | url = https://in.reuters.com/article/olympics-northkorea/olympics-ioc-monitoring-north-korea-crisis-2018-games-on-track-idINKBN1AQ1B8 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180113035603/https://in.reuters.com/article/olympics-northkorea/olympics-ioc-monitoring-north-korea-crisis-2018-games-on-track-idINKBN1AQ1B8 | archive-date = January 13, 2018 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> It iswas widely believed that if North Korea participatesparticipated in the Games, the risk of escalation diminisheswould diminish.<ref name="nyti_Nort">{{cite web | title = North Korea Skaters Seek Olympic Bid, and Diplomats Cheer | last = Longman | first = Jeré | work = The New York Times | date = 27 September 2017 | access-date = 30 September 2017 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/27/sports/olympics/north-korea-winter-olympics.html | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171001083148/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/27/sports/olympics/north-korea-winter-olympics.html | archive-date = October 1, 2017 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> This theory was later put to the test when North Korea's leader [[Kim Jong-un Un]] signaled a possibility to send athletes to the Games after all in his New Year's speech for 2018, saying "North Korea's participation in the Winter Games will be a good opportunity to showcase the national pride and we wish the Games will be a success. Officials from the two Koreas may urgently meet to discuss the possibility".<ref name="Open">{{cite news | title = North Korea's Kim 'open to dialogue' with South Korea, will only use nukes if threatened | author1 = Heekyong Yang | first2 = Josh | last2 = Smith | work = Reuters | date = 1 January 2018 | access-date = 5 January 2018 | url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-kimjongun/north-koreas-kim-open-to-dialogue-with-south-korea-will-only-use-nukes-if-threatened-idUSKBN1EQ0NJ | archive-date = 28 February 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180228012510/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-kimjongun/north-koreas-kim-open-to-dialogue-with-south-korea-will-only-use-nukes-if-threatened-idUSKBN1EQ0NJ | url-status = live }}</ref> The announcement was followed by South Korean agreement to participate in the first high-level talks with the North since December 2015. The talks were scheduled for 9 January 2018.<ref name="bbc._Nort">{{cite web | title = North Korea accepts Olympics talks offer | work = BBC News | date = 5 January 2018 | access-date = 5 January 2018 | url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42574870 | archive-date = 5 January 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180105061603/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42574870 | url-status = live }}</ref> North Korea is also prepared to talk to the IOC that week.<ref name="Meet">{{cite news | title = North Korea will meet with South Korea for talks next week in small breakthrough | work = Chicago Tribune | date = 5 January 2018 | access-date = 5 January 2018 | agency = AP | url = http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-korea-talks-olympics-20180105-story.html | archive-date = 7 February 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180207111444/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-korea-talks-olympics-20180105-story.html | url-status = live }}</ref> In preparation for the North–South talks, the two countries restored the [[Seoul–Pyongyang hotline]], which had been inactive for almost two years,<ref name="Com">{{cite news | title = North Korea reopens cross-border communication channel with South Korea | last = Kim | first = Hyung-Jin | work = Chicago Tribune | agency = AP | date = 3 January 2018 | access-date = 5 January 2018 | url = http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-south-korea-talks-north-20180102-story.html | archive-date = 4 January 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180104221341/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-south-korea-talks-north-20180102-story.html | url-status = live }}</ref> and exchanged related documents via fax.<ref name="bbc._Nort"/> After these developments, North Korea's IOC member [[Chang Ung]] said that the participation of North Korean figure skaters again looked likely.<ref name="espn_Repo">{{cite news | title = Reports: North Korea likely to be at Olympics | publisher = ESPN | agency = AP | date = 6 January 2018 | access-date = 6 January 2018 | url = http://www.espn.com.au/olympics/story/_/id/21978739/north-korea-says-likely-compete-figure-skating-winter-olympics-south-korea-report-says | archive-date = 7 January 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180107061047/http://www.espn.com.au/olympics/story/_/id/21978739/north-korea-says-likely-compete-figure-skating-winter-olympics-south-korea-report-says | url-status = live }}</ref> The possibility of North Korean participation has stirred up talk about a possible [[Olympic boycott]] by the [[United States]], after the administration of President [[Donald Trump]], who has been at loggerheads with Kim Jong-un Un, has issued mixed messages.<ref name="nyti_U.S.">{{cite web | title = U.S. Skating Officials Brush Aside Talk of Boycotting Olympics | last = Longman | first = Jeré | work = The New York Times | date = 3 January 2018 | access-date = 6 January 2018 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/03/sports/olympics/north-korea-olympics.html | archive-date = 9 February 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180209201941/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/03/sports/olympics/north-korea-olympics.html | url-status = live }}</ref> After discussions on 9 January 2018, North Korea announced they would send athletes to compete along with a delegation to attend the Winter Olympics.<ref name=compete>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/08/world/asia/north-korea-south-olympics-border-talks.html|title=North Korea to Send Athletes to Olympics in South Korea Breakthrough|last=Sang-Hun|first=Choe|work=The New York Times|date=8 January 2018|access-date=9 January 2018|archive-date=9 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109032540/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/08/world/asia/north-korea-south-olympics-border-talks.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

North and South Korea marched together in the Olympics opening ceremony and fielded a united women's ice hockey team.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://time.com/5142964/korea-hockey-olympics-winter-2018/|title='Cheer Up!' North Korean Cheerleaders Rally Unified Women's Hockey Team During 8-0 Loss|first1=Sean|last1=Gregory|publisher=Time|date=10 February 2018|access-date=9 March 2018|archive-date=9 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409023358/http://time.com/5142964/korea-hockey-olympics-winter-2018/|url-status=live}}</ref> As well as the athletes, North Korea sent an unprecedented high-level delegation, headed by [[Kim Yo-jong]], sister of [[Kim Jong-un Un]], and President [[Kim Yong-nam]], and including performers like the [[Samjiyon Orchestra]].<ref name=Delegation>{{cite news|url=https://www.nknews.org/2018/02/delegation-visit-shows-n-korea-can-take-drastic-steps-to-improve-relations-mo|title=Delegation visit shows N. Korea can take "drastic" steps to improve relations: MOU|publisher=[[NK News]]|first=Dagyum|last=Ji|date=12 February 2018|access-date=9 March 2018|archive-date=28 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328102708/https://www.nknews.org/2018/02/delegation-visit-shows-n-korea-can-take-drastic-steps-to-improve-relations-mo/|url-status=live}}</ref> The delegation passed along an invitation to President Moon to visit North Korea.<ref name=Delegation/>

In mid-February, as the Olympics were ongoing, after previous media reports,<ref>{{cite news|title=The US reportedly wants a limited strike on North Korea to give Kim Jong Un a 'bloody nose'|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/us-reportedly-wants-bloody-nose-strike-against-north-korea-2017-12|date=21 December 2017|work=[[Business Insider]]|access-date=16 February 2018|archive-date=16 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216084516/http://www.businessinsider.com/us-reportedly-wants-bloody-nose-strike-against-north-korea-2017-12|url-status=live}}</ref> the Trump administration denied considering a so-called preemptive "bloody nose" attack on North Korea's nuclear program. [[Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs]] [[Susan Thornton]] confirmed that the administration's policy remains one of "maximum pressure" via economic sanctions in order to get North Korea to negotiate on eliminating its nuclear weapons. Thornton however reiterated that military options are still "on the table" and that Pyongyang would be forced to give up its nuclear weapons "one way or another".<ref>{{cite news|title=US denies plan for 'bloody nose' strike on North Korea|url=http://www.startribune.com/trump-administration-denies-plan-for-strike-on-north-korea/474190823/|work=[[Star Tribune]]|date=15 February 2018|access-date=February 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216003318/http://www.startribune.com/trump-administration-denies-plan-for-strike-on-north-korea/474190823/|archive-date=February 16, 2018|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=No 'bloody nose' plan for North Korea: U.S. official, senators|date=15 February 2018|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-usa-bloodynose/no-bloody-nose-plan-for-north-korea-u-s-official-senators-idUSKCN1FZ2KK|work=Reuters|access-date=16 February 2018|archive-date=9 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309015304/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-usa-bloodynose/no-bloody-nose-plan-for-north-korea-u-s-official-senators-idUSKCN1FZ2KK|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Trump official denies US planning 'bloody nose' strike on North Korea|url=httphttps://thehill.com/policy/defense/374049-state-official-senators-administration-does-not-have-bloody-nose-strategy-for/|work=[[The Hill (TV series)|The Hill]]|date=15 February 2018|access-date=16 February 2018|archive-date=23 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223061449/http://thehill.com/policy/defense/374049-state-official-senators-administration-does-not-have-bloody-nose-strategy-for|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:2018 inter-Korean summit 01.jpg|thumb|[[Kim Jong-un Un]] and South Korean President [[Moon Jae-in]] during the [[April 2018 inter-Korean summit]]]]

On April 27, the two leaders met at the Joint Security Area, with Kim Jong-un Un crossing the MDL in South Korean territory, the first time a North Korean leader has done so. President Moon also briefly crossed into the North's territory. Both Moon and Kim signed the [[Panmunjom Declaration]], declaring the Korean conflict over and to sign a proper peace treaty by the end of the year. With that, Moon agreed to visit Pyongyang in the fall.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-southkorea-summit-crossing/kim-becomes-first-north-korean-leader-to-cross-border-into-south-since-war-idUSKBN1HY01L| title=Kim becomes first North Korean leader to cross border into South| newspaper=Reuters| date=2018-04-27| access-date=2018-04-29| archive-date=2018-04-28| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428093633/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-southkorea-summit-crossing/kim-becomes-first-north-korean-leader-to-cross-border-into-south-since-war-idUSKBN1HY01L| url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Kim and Trump shaking hands at the red carpet during the DPRK–USA Singapore Summit.jpg|thumb|[[Kim Jong-un Un]] and U.S. President [[Donald Trump]] during the [[2018 North Korea–United States Singapore Summit|2018 North Korea–United States summit]]]]

On March 8, in a surprise departure from the hostile dialogue during 2017, Trump announced that he would meet with leader Kim Jong-un Un, and the two would meet likely by May. Press secretary [[Sarah Huckabee Sanders]] said that "in the meantime, all sanctions and maximum pressure must remain."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/08/trump-will-accept-kim-jong-uns-invitation-to-meet-white-house-says.html|title=Trump will accept Kim Jong Un's invitation to meet, White House says|last=Richardson|first=Matt|date=2018-03-08|work=Fox News|access-date=2018-03-09|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-06-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614004946/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-kim-summit-plan-draws-positive-reactions-from-key-players|url-status=live}}</ref>

Satellite images obtained by CNN in December 2018 show that the Yeongjeo-dong long-range missile base (the existence of which was already public knowledge) remains active. The images also revealed continued construction on an underground facility and construction on a facility (the existence of which was previously unknown to the public) several kilometres from Yeongjeo-dong.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Ellen |title=Satellite images reveal North Korea upgrading unidentified missile base: report |url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/419908-satellite-images-reveal-north-korea-upgrading-unidentified-missile-base-report/ |access-date=6 December 2018 |work=The Hill |date=5 December 2018 |archive-date=6 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206004035/https://thehill.com/policy/defense/419908-satellite-images-reveal-north-korea-upgrading-unidentified-missile-base-report |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Category:Aftermath of the Korean Warconflict]]