1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. How did President Trump respond to North Korea’s latest aggressive action? Be specific.

3. a) What is THAAD?
b) What is its purpose?

4. a) What did U.S. Pacific Commander Admiral Harry Harris say about North Korea’s launch of four ballistic missiles towards Japan?
b) The U.S. had planned during the Obama administration to deploy THAAD to South Korea. Why did the Trump administration move up the date of deployment?
c) When is the THAAD system expected to be operational?

5. For what reason does China oppose the U.S. deployment of the THAAD to South Korea?

6. a) How did analyst Choi Kang explain North Korea’s most recent ballistic missile test?
b) What warning did U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis give North Korea in February during a meeting in South Korea? (see “Background” below for the answer.)

7. Read the “Background” below on North Korea. The Council on Foreign Relations reports:

China is North Korea’s most important ally, biggest trading partner, and main source of food, arms, and energy. It has helped sustain Kim Jong-un’s regime, and has historically opposed harsh international sanctions on North Korea in the hope of avoiding regime collapse and a refugee influx across their 870-mile border.
China regards stability on the Korean peninsula as its primary interest. Its support for North Korea ensures a friendly nation on its northeastern border and provides a buffer between China and the democratic South, which is home to around 29,000 U.S. troops and marines. “For the Chinese, stability and the avoidance of war are the top priorities,” says Daniel Sneider of Stanford’s Asia-Pacific Research Center.

President Trump has said that China should be able to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program. Do you agree with this assertion? Explain your answer.