It is far from a "life and death situation," with no reason yet to flip out and take rash actions.  Experienced diplomats understand that and do what is necessary to defuse the situation without loss of face.  Trump doesn't understand that and  reacted in a foolish manner leaving him with little wiggle room once kim, predictably, pushes back.  The time of the cold war with the former u.s.s.r. was full of such tension, but the world survived.  The difference now, is that we have a crazy, inexperienced, unpredictable potus.  The only hope is that his military advisors can talk sense into him.