I wager this was discussed with South Korea and State Department officials with knowledge of Korean affairs and culture weighed in on the appropriate action to take and how the message would be understood. There’s a lot going on that we’re not privy to.

There’s always this divide between thinking (1) if we’re nice the bad guys will change and (2) the bad guys will change if we hold a hard line and proceed fearlessly. I think it’s great we’re trying option 2. When we think of success in combating the USSR and bringing about peace with Russia (until the 2016 election), we think of the hard lines and provocative policies taken by presidents like Kennedy and Reagan. There were major risks in what they pursued but they were successful. Hate to think where the world would be today had we been solicitous. Instead of a blockade or an arms race, we have Pence sitting in a chair. I’m all for that kind of pressure.