Four ways Trump could deal with North Korea

3. Launching military action

It’s still a matter of debate how big a risk North Korea poses militarily and whether it could really put a nuclear warhead on a missile.

It conducted two nuclear tests in 2016, one in January, and another in September, it’s most powerful ever. It’s also tested a string of missiles, both land and sea launched.

So far, North Korea hasn’t developed a delivery system capable of reaching beyond Asia but the fact North Korea remains the only country on Earth to test a nuclear weapon in the 21st century means that any military effort to take out Kim’s regime is unimaginably high risk.

North Korea’s closest neighbors are the most vulnerable targets to nuclear or conventional weapons, of which Pyongyang has an ample arsenal. South Korea would have to be prepared for potential devastation if Kim were to strike.

“It’s not a viable option. We are way past pre-emption,” said Delury. There are few other aggressive actions available, he added. North Korea has no diplomats the US could expel.