Trump Administration Split On North Korea

A South Korean protester holds up a card during a rally to denounce the United States’ policy against North Korea in front of U.S. Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017. North Korea’s top diplomat said Monday that a weekend tweet by U.S. President Donald Trump was a “declaration of war” and North Korea has the right to retaliate by shooting down U.S. bombers, even in international airspace. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
A South Korean protester holds up a card during a rally to denounce the United States' policy against North Korea in front of U.S. Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017. North Korea's top diplomat said Monday that a weekend tweet by U.S. President Donald Trump was a "declaration of war" and North Korea has the right to retaliate by shooting down U.S. bombers, even in international airspace. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
A South Korean protester holds up a card during a rally to denounce the United States’ policy against North Korea in front of U.S. Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017. North Korea’s top diplomat said Monday that a weekend tweet by U.S. President Donald Trump was a “declaration of war” and North Korea has the right to retaliate by shooting down U.S. bombers, even in international airspace. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
A South Korean protester holds up a card during a rally to denounce the United States' policy against North Korea in front of U.S. Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017. North Korea's top diplomat said Monday that a weekend tweet by U.S. President Donald Trump was a "declaration of war" and North Korea has the right to retaliate by shooting down U.S. bombers, even in international airspace. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Trump Administration Split On North Korea

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President Trump’s war of words against North Korea has led some to fear an actual war.

In an interview on Fox Business Network on Sunday, Trump said his administration is “so prepared, like you wouldn’t believe” for a military confrontation with North Korea. It’s the latest in a series of threats, from “fire and fury” in August, and a threat to totally destroy “Rocketman” Kim Jong Un before the U.N. in September. 

But earlier this month, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis emphasized how dangerous throwing around threats to North Korea can be, even though he’s preparing the military for a possible defense. 

To discuss the Trump administration’s handling of North Korea, we’re joined by Bruce Cumings, professor of History at the University of Chicago, and author of Parallax Visions: Making Sense of American-East Asian Relations at the End of the Century, The Korean War: A History and North Korea: Another Country.