North Korea cuts ties with the U.S.

In July, the United States became the first country to directly target the Supreme Commander of North Korea Kim Jong-un with human rights sanctions.

The sanctions were a step in the Obama administration’s plan to isolate the government of North Korea from the rest of the world.

In response to these sanctions, North Korea closed what is known as the “New York Channel” on July 10. The New York Channel which allowed diplomats from North Korea and the U.S. to communicate via telephone.

The New York Channel was the only form of communication between the U.S. and North Korea.