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Explained in plain English

Why are US-North Korea relations tense?

Relations between the US and North Korea have been strained for decades, rooted in the Korean War and differing political ideologies. The US maintains a military presence in South Korea and conducts joint exercises, which Pyongyang views as provocative. This ongoing tension fuels North Korea's belief that it needs nuclear weapons for defence.

Stories that explain this

North Korea to strengthen nuclear force, rejects US denuclearisation demands

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What is denuclearisation? What are 'hostile policies'? What is sovereignty? Why is North Korea helping Russia? Why does North Korea test missiles? Why won't North Korea apologise? Why drill for North Sea oil? Why focus on the North?

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