As if tensions were not high enough already, the United States has put North Korea on notice.
Vice President Mike Pence, on a tour of South Korea, has visited the demilitarised zone, where North Korea meets South.
As he looked out at the North, he reiterated the United States' support for the South.
"I'm here to express the resolve of the people of the United States and the President of the United States to achieve that objective through peaceable means, through negotiations, but all options are on the table as we continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of South Korea."
Mr Pence has called on China to use its relationship with North Korea to calm the escalating nuclear tensions in the region.
He says the time for what he calls "strategic patience" is over and, if China does not deal with the issue, the United States and its allies will take matters into their own hands.
North Korea has shifted the onus back on the United States, saying it is abusing its authority.
He accuses the Americans of double standards.
North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations, Kim In-ryong, says the United States is reckless and its attack on a Syrian airfield was intended as a message to North Korea.
"As everybody knows, now there is the United States, without hesitation, perpetrating a military attack on a sovereign state while claiming peace by strength. The recent US missile attack on Syria tells you well of it. The United States is disturbing the global peace and stability and insisting on the gangster-like logic that its invasion of a sovereign state is decisive and just and proportionate."
The ambassador made it clear North Korea is preparing for war with the Americans.
"If the United States dares opt for the military actions, the trying out of a pre-emptive military attack and removal of the headquarters, the DPRK is ready to react to any mode of war desired by the Americans. The prevailing grave situation proves once again the DPRK was entirely just when it increased in every way its military capability for self-defence and a pre-emptive attack with a nuclear force at its pivot."
Neither side appears willing to back down.
Emphasising that, back in the United States, White House press secretary Sean Spicer says the United States' show of aggression is justified.
"I don't think there's anybody in the world who would not believe that North Korea's actions are both provocative and a concern ... So the actions that we're taking are extremely ... they're appropriate and justified."
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