Pyongyang launched an intercontinental ballistic missile Tuesday, despite repeated warnings from the U.S. State Department. North Korea claims the test was successful, hitting its target in the sea off the Korean Peninsula “without any structural breakdown.”
North Korean state media celebrated the launch Wednesday.
"With a broad smile on his face," Kim called on officials to "frequently send big and small 'gift packages' to the Yankees," KCNA reported, as it listed the technical successes of the rocket, identified by the North Koreans as a Hwasong-14.
The KCNA added that North Korea is now "a full-fledged nuclear power."
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said "global action" is needed to stop North Korea. The U.S. and South Korea got the ball rolling by conducting joint military drills. Yet, on Twitter, President Trump urged South Korea and Japan to do much more.
North Korea has just launched another missile. Does this guy have anything better to do with his life? Hard to believe that South Korea.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 4, 2017
....and Japan will put up with this much longer. Perhaps China will put a heavy move on North Korea and end this nonsense once and for all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 4, 2017
Trump soon got his answer as far as China was concerned. The country increased its trade with North Korea, leading Trump to tweet, "So much for China working with us."
Trump is en route to the G20 summit in Germany this week, where he will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
He seemed confident as he boarded Air Force One.
"We're going to do very well," Trump told press who asked him about North Korea as he walked to Marine One, per @aritbenie. pic.twitter.com/M4BdnG99Mc
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) July 5, 2017