Officials are worried of a possible missile launch referred to as a “Christmas gift”.
What We Know:
- One of Trump’s major foreign policy goals is to make a deal with the North Koreans that would remove their missile test program. This action would be a major blow to that possibility. Two years ago, the Trump administration labeled North Korea a State Sponsor of Terrorism. Earlier in the month, they tested an engine which officials believe to be a missile, according to Fox.
- North Korea warned of a “Christmas gift” in early December. They said the Trump administration was running out of time on nuclear negotiations, it was up to Trump to decide what “gift” the North Koreans would give to the Americans. Trump has had multiple meetings with the dictator to try and clean out the possibility of a nuclearized Korean peninsula.
- Defense Secretary Mark Esper went on to say “I’ve been watching the Korean Peninsula for a quarter-century now. I’m familiar with their tactics, with their bluster,” he said. “We need to get serious and sit down and have discussions about a political agreement that denuclearizes the peninsula. That is the best way forward and arguably the only way forward if we’re going to do something constructive.”
- In 2017, North Korea tested missiles. Reports show that the Koreans didn’t have the technological efficiency to have a missile survive atmospheric re-entry at the time.
The North Koreans have largely asked the Trump administration to end joint military exercises with South Korea. Trump has complied but little evidence has been shown of North Korea’s attempt at denuclearization.
