After the United States and South Korea announced an agreement to deploy an advanced missile defense system, North Korea responded by promising a "physical response."
The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system would serve to counter the threat from Pyongyang, the BBC reports, with the ability to shoot down short- and medium-range ballistic missiles during the terminal phase of flight. In a statement, the North Korean military warned of the "unwavering will of our army to deal a ruthless retaliatory strike," language that's not out of the ordinary for the country during times of high tension. Last week, after the U.S. imposed sanctions against North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the move was described as being an "open declaration of war." It's not yet known when the THAAD system will be deployed, where it will go, and who would have ultimate control of it.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Will Japan’s first female prime minister defy sumo’s ban on women?Under the Radar Sanae Takaichi must decide whether to break with centuries of tradition and step into the ring to present the trophy
-
Political cartoons for November 16Cartoons Sunday's political cartoons include presidential pardons, the Lincoln penny, and more
-
The vast horizons of the Puna de AtacamaThe Week Recommends The ‘dramatic and surreal’ landscape features volcanoes, fumaroles and salt flats
-
The North Korean troops readying for deployment in UkraineThe Explainer Third country wading into conflict would be 'the first step to a world war' Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned
-
What's happening at the North Korea border?The Explainer Tensions rise as hermit kingdom blows up 'symbolic' roads after accusing Seoul of flying drones over Pyongyang
-
How would we know if World War Three had started?In depth Most of us probably won’t realise that we are in a global conflict – at first
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red SeaSpeed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacksspeed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages releasedSpeed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs saySpeed Read
