Since 2006, North Korea has conducted 4 nuclear tests in total. The first nuclear test was done in 2006 followed by another in 2009, then in 2013, and finally 2016.The nuclear weapon tested had a seismic wave magnitude of 4.3 which means that it was as powerful as 4.3 earthquakes. The 2016 trial that North Korea ran tested the power of hydrogen bombs (h-bombs). The results were a 5.1 seismic wave magnitude which means that h-bombs surpass the damage that atomic bombs create.

Over the past decade, North Korea has dramatically advanced their weapons.When North Korea performs a nuclear test, it increases not only the fear of U.S citizens, but also U.S. allies. North Korea has conducted about 20 missile tests in 2016 alone. According to General Joseph Dunford chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, “North Korea’s unpredictable behavior and capability development also continues to threaten allies and potentially the homeland.” Dunford believes that North Korea is trying to gain power by instilling fear to other countries as well as their own people.

These nuclear tests have led to the U.S. sending bombers to fly over North Korea to “show sign of force”. North Korea responded by claiming that their “sign of force” was just deception or bluff. With the rising tension amongst opposing countries, North Korea has made itself a threat considered by many. Recently, the U.S and South Korea have worked together in waters and have gotten close to the east coast of North Korea.

The U.S has been giving much attention to the North Korea tests and has recognized them as a global threat. The U.S. has taken action by sending fighter pilots flying as close as possible to North Korea and working with South Korea on the coasts of North and South Korea. These tests in North Korea could mean future war between the U.S. and North Korea. The tests have been affecting everyone by the fact that North Korea’s weapon advancements pose major threats that may or may not even be true.

– Abigail Duarte