Tension between US- North Korea

Tension heightens in Korean Peninsula, even as US says its wants to put diplomatic pressure on North Korean dictator to abandon its nuclear weapons programme; US deploys missile defence system in South Korea Pyonyong replies with more show of strength.

The top US commander in the Pacific has said an advanced missile defence system in South Korea aims to bring the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un “to his senses, not to his knees”.

It came as the Trump administration announced a tightening of sanctions against North Korea and a stepping up of diplomatic efforts amid mounting tensions over Pyongyang’s nuclear threats.

Yesterday, Washington deployed the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense or THAAD missile in Seoul to counter the threat from North Korea, which is pushing ahead with its ballistic missile programme despite multiple sets of UN sanctions. US had earlier deployed air craft carrier and submarine in the region as well.

The North is also believed to be preparing for a sixth nuclear weapons test.