North Korean crisis coming to a head

The US navy flotilla is sailing towards Korean peninsula, the nuclear-powered USS Michigan, one of four Ohio-class guided-missile submarines capable of launching cruise missiles, arrived at the South Korean port of Busan, and US forces have begun installing THAAD, a missile-defense system in South Korea. Such military equipment build up is the ominous indicator of possible catastrophic events.
Tensions simmers in Korean peninsula as US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un face off over Pyongyang’s continuing development of its nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile program. The US aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and its accompanying destroyers and cruiser are expected to arrive in waters near the peninsula this week. It is carrying a full complement of weaponry, including scores of Tomahawk cruise and anti-ship missiles, radar-jamming aircraft and non-stealthy “Super Hornet” jets.
Amid the worsening situation on the peninsula, the White House is briefing senators about North Korea as Trump weighs options for dealing with the regime and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson plans to lead a Security Council meeting at the United Nations. North Korea has reacted fiercely to the initiatives and called the meetings “as dangerous as lighting the fuse of an all-out war.”
On the other hand, North Korea, in a show off its fire power, carried out its largest-ever live-fire artillery exercise east of Pyongyang. The drill, which was attended by Kim, took place amid expectations that pariah nation might carry out sixth nuclear test to mark the anniversary of the Korean People’s Army.
Trump vowed after taking office that he wouldn’t let North Korea develop a nuclear weapon capable of reaching the US. And to deter Kim regime, Trump sent Carl Vinson to the region. North Korea called the Vinson’s deployment a provocation and promised it would “react to a total war with an all-out war.”
China urges restraint to both parties and emphasizes diplomacy. Xi in a phone call with Trump stressed over the need to avoid actions that might make the situation worse, and to work within the framework of UN Security Council resolutions. But the deployment of THAAD has angered China too. The US says the recent missile launches by North Korea highlighted the need to deploy THAAD to protect South Koreans and alliance forces. Kim’s regime has the ability to inflict massive damage on South Korean cities with both missiles and artillery. But Beijing, which is concerned the missile defense system could be used to spy on its own facilities, said it would take measures against the move. It will further aggravate tensions on the peninsula.
The game of chicken between Washington and Pyongyang has come to a head. In the case of any nuclear or missile test by Kim regime, the situation on the peninsula will cross the point of no return. It is more likely than ever that Trump will respond to Kim’s belligerence militarily. And if this happens, all stakeholders will bear the consequences, with Pyongyang sure to suffer the greatest losses.