Tensions are high between the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) and the United States. North Korea, as it is more commonly known, continues to test launch its missiles, which poses not only a threat to South Korea, China, and our Asian allies, but also to our own country. Though the missiles have been unsuccessful thus far, Kim Jong-un appears to have no intention of stopping the tests, and the country’s official magazine has been quoted as saying “In the case of our super-mighty preemptive strike being launched, it will completely and immediately wipe out not only U.S. imperialists’ invasion forces in South Korea and its surrounding areas but the U.S. mainland and reduce them to ashes” (Rodong Sinmun). Many people here at AHS have their own opinions on why the notion of war is so close, and what we should do to stop it. When asking fellow student Keven Stehl, he responded by saying that “I have faith that the Trump administration will be able to handle this before it becomes a crisis, as long as he remembers to be friendly but firm”. President Trump has laid all his cards on the table, some of which include potentially taking military action, though this is a last resort. Mr. Trump is even quoted as saying both that he would be “honoured” to meet with Kim Jong-un, and that he is a “smart cookie” for having the ability to lead his country with little or no backlash. If Donald Trump were to successfully meet up with North Korea’s commanding leader, it would be a bookmark in the novella of history, as no sitting president has met with a North Korean leader since Kim Jong-un’s grandfather, Kim Il-sung. So far, we have played it smart by keeping our troops at bay and by doing our best not to provoke North Korea. At this point in time, our two countries are potentially on the brink of war, and as long as we allow North Korea time to cool down, we will hopefully avoid an all out nuclear strike. The Trump administration is trying hard to plan out a strategy to help save the North Korean people while keeping ourselves and our allies out of danger, though such a strategy is not easy to come by. New information is pouring in every day, and it looks like North Korea will continue to develop missiles, as well as many different types of biological and chemical warfare. Overall, we are at a standstill for the time being, but hopefully both countries can reach a peaceful agreement very soon.