2017 News Map: DPRK vs the world

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Word wars have broken out between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States over the 17 missiles launched throughout 2017.

The February launch of the medium-range ballistic missile, the Pukguksong-2, was the first missile after US President Donald Trump took office. Since then, tensions on the Korean Peninsula have intensified.

The US and the South Korea have held successive joint military drills in response to the missile launches, which have also angered the isolated country.

A North Korean long-range rocket is launched into the air at the Sohae rocket launch site, in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang, February 7, 2016. / Reuters Photo‍

DPRK's state-run television has shown their attitude towards the drills in March, saying: "Our army will respond with the toughest counteractions."

Tensions continue to escalate as DPRK Ambassador to the United Nations Kim In Ryong responded, "The DPRK is ready to react to any mode of war desired by the Americans."

In late September, DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho told media that Trump’s threat to destroy DPRK is a “sound of dog barking.”

In response, Trump mocked Kim Jong Un as “little rocket man” during his speech at the United Nations on the next day. These two exchanges only represent little part of the war of words.

"War is never something the United States wants. We don't want it now,” Nikki Haley, the US Ambassador to the UN said at the emergency meeting convened by the UN Security Council on the DPRK nuclear issue.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) provides field guidance at the National Space Development General Satellite Control and Command Center in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang in 2015. / Reuters Photo

Instead of being calmed by Haley's words, Pyongyang was still planning to attack Guam, targeting a US military base.

"North Korea (DPRK) best not make any more threats to the United States. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen," US President Donald Trump replied with anger.

Meanwhile, the aggressive actions from the DPRK had spread globally.

Japanese Prime Minister told the press that Japan will continue to closely coordinate with the US and South Korea to analyze information and deal firmly with the DPRK situation.

"President Trump and I decided to place a top priority on addressing this issue, and coordinate closely on relevant policies," Moon Jae-in, President of South Korea, said.

A military parade marking the 105th birth anniversary of country's founding father, Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang, April 15, 2017. / Reuters Photo‍

Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN, also wanted to offer help to deal with the issue. As he said, the potential consequences of military action are too horrific to even contemplate. So the solution of this issue “must be political.”

On November 29, the launch of the new intercontinental missile, Hwasong-15, was a "breakthrough" that puts the US mainland within range. The patience of the US is fading.

The US called for all ties to the DPRK be cut during another emergency meeting at the UN.

The DPRK has put the world to test with its missile launches in 2017. In the wars of words, the Korean Peninsula tensions are not only between the DPRK and the US, but also a global security concern.

"If war comes, make no mistake, the North Korean regime will be utterly destroyed,” said Haley.