The back-and-forth messages between North Korea and the United States intensified this weekend as the U.S. military sent bombers and fighter escorts to the farthest point north of the border between North and South Korea.
President Donald Trump is attempting to send a message to North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, that America has a strong military force, and it will take action if threats continue, according to the Associated Press.
Defense Department spokesman Dana White said the "mission is a demonstration of U.S. resolve and a clear message that the president has many military options to defeat any threat."
White's statement also said “North Korea’s weapons program is a grave threat to the Asia-Pacific region and the entire international community. We are prepared to use the full range of military capabilities to defend the U.S. homeland and our allies."
President Trump threatened to "totally destroy" North Korea if the country attacked the U.S. and its allies. Jong Un responded saying the U.S. will "pay dearly," the AP reports.
