Chronologies
US - Korea
Chronology from Sep 2017 to Dec 2017
: Reuters reports that Russian tankers have illicitly supplied fuel to the DPRK via transfers at sea.
: Trump tweets that China was “caught RED HANDED” allowing oil into the DPRK and preventing “a friendly solution” to the conflict with the DPRK. China blocks US effort to blacklist six foreign-flagged ships believed involved in illicit trade. ROK claims ship seizure over illicit petroleum trade with the DPRK.
: US Treasury announces sanctions against two DPRK officials behind ballistic missile program. China is reported to have broken sanctions on the sale of petroleum products to the DPRK with ship transfers.
: ROK Unification Ministry predicts DPRK will look to open talks with the US in 2018 in optimistic New Year forecast.
: DPRK condemns the new UNSC sanctions resolution as an act of war.
: UN Security Council unanimously passes UNSCR 2397 imposing more sanctions on the DPRK.
: A DPRK soldier escapes across the DMZ.
: US states DPRK is responsible for WannaCry cyber attack. ROK President Moon proposes curtailing military exercises to ease pressure around the Olympic Games.
: Secretary Tillerson says DPRK must halt missile and nuclear tests prior to any resumption of dialogue.
: Secretary Mattis says DPRK ICBM is not yet a “capable threat’ against the US. UN Secretary General Guterres urges communication with the DPRK to avoid escalation.
: UN Secretary General Guterres warns against “sleepwalking” into conflict with the DPRK A group of 58 retired US military leaders urge Trump to take a diplomatic approach with North Korea over military action.
: White House says time is not right for talks with the DPRK.
: Secretary Tillerson says US is ready for negotiations with the DPRK without preconditions.
: US, ROK, and Japan conduct computer-simulated training to track DPRK missile launches.
: ROK announces sanctions against 20 DPRK groups and 12 individuals. Seoul asks US to delay spring military exercises until after Pyeongchang Olympics.
: DPRK labels joint ROK-US drills as “confrontational warmongering” and poses the question “when will war break out?”
: Ambassador Haley suggests US participation in Pyeongchang Winter Olympics is an “open question.”
: US B-1B bomber joins joint US-ROK military exercises.
: UN Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman visits North Korea in highest-level UN effort to encourage negotiation since 2011.
: US and ROK conduct Vigilant Ace military exercise.
: Sen. Lindsey Graham suggests Pentagon should move US military dependents from ROK. North Korea says trump is “begging” for nuclear war.
: Trump tweets that North Korean leader Kim, whom he refers to as Little Rocket Man, is a “sick puppy.”
: DPRK tests Hwasong-15 ICBM. ROK stages “precision strike” drill within minutes of the DPRK launch. Trump tells reporters “we will take care of that situation.” Ambassador Haley warns that in the event of war, the DPRK regime will be “utterly destroyed.” Kim Jong Un declares the DPRK has “finally realized the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force.”
: US Treasury imposes sanctions on 13 PRC and DPRK organizations accused of helping Pyongyang evade nuclear restrictions and supporting trade in commodities.
: US re-designates the DPRK as a state sponsor of terrorism.
: US Special Representative for North Korea Policy Joseph Yun says there has been “no signal” from DPRK for negotiations. DPRK UN Geneva Ambassador Han Tae Song rules out negotiations with the US as long as US-ROK military exercises continue.
: DPRK soldier is shot while attempting to cross the military demarcation line in the Joint Security Area in Panmunjom.
: US conducts military exercises in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) involving three US carrier strike groups.
: DPRK says Trump begged for war during his Asia trip. Trump tweets “why would Kim Jong Un insult me by calling me “old,” when I would never call him “short and fat?”
: Trump addresses ROK National Assembly.
: Following talks with Moon, Trump pledges cooperation and suggests “we cannot allow North Korea to threaten all that we have built.”
: On departure for Seoul, Trump tweets that President Moon is “a fine gentleman” and that “we will figure it all out!”
: Trump suggests “samurai” Japan should shoot DPRK missiles “out of the sky.” ROK imposes sanctions on 18 North Koreans.
: DPRK calls for halt to “brutal” sanctions.
: President Moon says the ROK cannot recognize the DPRK as a nuclear state.
: Secretary Mattis warns that Kim Jong Un is threatening “catastrophe.”
: Defense Secretary Mattis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford arrive in Seoul for consultations.
: US and ROK conduct a joint naval exercise near South Korea.
: DPRK cautions international community and says “you’re safe” if you don’t join the US in its efforts against the DPRK. North Korean diplomat says nuclear weapons are a “matter of life and death” for the DPRK.
: North Korea warns that US threats are a “big miscalculation.” CIA Director Mike Pompeo says DPRK “months away” from ability to strike the US.
: South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam and US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan meet in Seoul. Lim also meets Sullivan and Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama to coordinate policies on North Korea.
: US Pacific Command’s Adm. Harry Harris warns that the DPRK situation is a “recipe for disaster,” urging China to do more.
: US Navy Strike Group 5, led by USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), participates in a combined exercise with South Korea’s Navy near the Korean Peninsula.
: DPRK labels Trump a “strangler of peace.” Secretary Tillerson promises US diplomacy until “first bomb drops.”
: US flies bombers over Korea as Trump discusses options with military leaders.
: US bans four ships for transporting DPRK coal.
: Trump tweets criticism of past US approaches and that “only one thing will work!” in dealing with North Korea.
: ROK and US announce agreement to amend the KORUS FTA.
: DPRK’s Rodong Sinmum reports Trump’s “intention is to completely destroy the DPRK and exterminate the whole Korean nation.”
: White House rejects talks with DPRK on nuclear issue.
: Secretary Tillerson visits Beijing to press China on DPRK sanctions. He says US is “probing” to see if DPRK interested in dialogue. Trump tweets that North Korea talks are a “waste of time.”
: Trump states US is prepared to use “devastating” force on DPRK.
: North Korea says US “declared war” and threatens to shoot down US bombers.
: US sends bombers on flyover near the Korean coastline.
: DPRK envoy warns attack on US is becoming “inevitable.”
: Trump labels Kim Jong Un a “madman.”
: Foreign Minister Ri warns of a potential DPRK nuclear test over the Pacific. Kim Jong Un labels Trump a “mentally deranged US dotard.”
: DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho dismisses Trump’s UN address as the “sound of a dog barking.”
: UN Secretary General Guterres appeals for statesmanship to avoid war in Korea. Trump warns UN General Assembly that US may have to “totally destroy” the DPRK if threatened, and that “Rocket Man” Kim Jong Un is on a “suicide mission.”
: Two B-1B bombers and four F-35 fighters join ROK and Japanese jets in air maneuvers. Defense Secretary Mattis hints at military options against the DPRK.
: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson vows “peaceful pressure campaign” and suggests that “if our diplomatic efforts fall through, our military option will be the only one left.” US Ambassador Haley states that the UN has exhausted options on the DPRK.
: DPRK states it is seeking military “equilibrium” with US.
: US National Security Advisor Gen. H.R. McMaster warns that “we’re out of time” with North Korea.
: DPRK threatens to “sink” Japan and reduce US to “ashes and darkness.” DPRK fires missile over Japan, the second in one month.
: DPRK vows to accelerate nuclear program.
: North Korea warns US of “greatest pain” in the event of new sanctions. UN Security Council passes UNSCR 2375, tightening existing sanctions.
: DPRK leader Kim Jong Un praises nuclear scientists with celebration. DPRK warns that the US will pay a price for spearheading sanctions resolution in the UN.
: Trump says he won’t rule out military action against the DPRK. North Korea dismisses US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley’s “hysteric fit.”
: Trump suggests military force against the DPRK is not his “first choice,” although the US is “not putting up” with DPRK actions.
: North Korea warns of “gift packages” for the US.
: US and ROK announce exercises in response to DPRK nuclear test.
: DPRK conducts its sixth nuclear test, which is of exponentially higher yield than the September 2016 test.
: North Korea conducts its sixth nuclear weapon test.
: US and ROK agree to revise a missile treaty that will allow the ROK to develop missiles with longer ranges.