<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> North Korea--United States relations (Chosŏn'gŭl: 북미 관계; Hancha: 北美 關係; RR: Bugmi gwangye) are hostile and developed primarily during the Korean War . In recent years relations have been largely defined by North Korea's six tests of nuclear weapons, its development of long - range missiles capable of striking targets thousands of miles away, and its ongoing threats to strike the United States and South Korea with nuclear weapons and conventional forces . During his presidency, George W. Bush referred to North Korea as part of "the axis of evil" because of the threat of its nuclear capabilities . </P> <P> As the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United States of America have no formal diplomatic relations, Sweden (an EU member state) acts as the protecting power of United States interests in North Korea for consular matters . Since the Korean War, the United States has maintained a strong military presence in South Korea . However, the United States has considered, de jure, South Korea as the sole legitimate representative of all of Korea . </P>

What is north korea's relationship with the united states