That is the closest the United States has come to a military clash with North Korea since the end of the Korean War in 1953. He spoke to the senators for less than three minutes, mainly promoting his efforts to persuade President Xi Jinping of China to put more economic pressure on North Korea. The reports of closed gas stations in North Korea were intriguing, analysts said, because they suggested that the North was bracing for a suspension of fuel shipments from China. He also said the administration was considering returning North Korea to the government’s list of state sponsors of terrorism. “While recent actions by Beijing are encouraging and welcome, the fact remains that China is as responsible for where North Korea is today as North Korea itself,” he said.

Source: New York Times April 27, 2017 01:13 UTC