North Korea Confims To Speed Up Nuclear Testing Program As THAAD Goes Working

A North Korean short-range nonnuclear ballistic missile test failed during the weekend, the latest in a series of provocations from Pyongyang. And recently, North Korea dedicated to stepping up its nuclear testing program to the maximum, signaling it leftovers uncowed by U.S. pressure.

U.S. Forces Korea spokesperson Col. Rob Manning said in a statement to CBS News that "U.S. Forces Korea confirms the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is working and has the ability to intercept North Korean missiles and defend the Republic of the Korea,"

The inaccessible North Korean regime of Kim Jong Un, tried out again on Monday, in the meantime, accusing the U.S. of drawing the two nations closer to "the brink of nuclear war." A spokesman for the North Korean Foreign Ministry said to the publication that the country would "speed up at the maximum pace the measure for bolstering its nuclear deterrence," in response to what it considers U.S. provocations.

THAAD anti-missile system was now working, but not fully. He said the system had the initial operating capability, but would not become fully working until later this year when more launchers and more interceptors arrive in South Korea.

South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Moon Sang Gyun said earlier that two U.S. B-1B bombers had flown over the Korean peninsula Monday, in the meantime, as part of a joint drill with South Korea's air force. North Korea state media said the bombers were used in "a nuclear bomb dropping drill" and, "The reckless military provocation is pushing the situation on the Korean peninsula closer to the brink of nuclear war."

South Koreans were also angry recently by President Trump suggesting he might make Seoul pay $1 billion for the system. Those remarks were later walked back by other U.S. officials, who certain Seoul the U.S. would bear the cost of the THAAD system, as decided under the Obama administration, as reported by NY Mag.