As the US aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson approaches the Sea of Japan, the geopolitical tensions in the Korean Peninsula have reached a new boiling point. Before last week’s Trump-Xi meeting, President Trump said that the United States would act unilaterally to tackle threats from North Korea if China doesn’t help to diffuse tensions. During the Trump-Xi meeting, north Korea successfully tested a ballistic missile, which was condemned by the US and its allies in the region as an act of aggression and irresponsibility. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) deployed 150,000 troops in the fear that the US might bombard nuclear facilities in North Korea. The recent US strikes on Syria is being cited by many as a warning to North Korea. However, a North Korean foreign military official has said that they are not frightened by the attack. Instead, the foreign ministry has issued a statement that says that North Korea is ready for any modes of war with the United States and warned that North Korea would forcefully retaliate against any military action.

Reports are suggesting that North Korea might be preparing for another nuclear weapon testing to mark the birthday of Kim il-Sung, who founded North Korea in 1948. That could mark a triggering point for the United States to launch air strikes against North Korea.