HOUSTON – Talk among Houston's Korean community is one of diplomacy and the continued hope of, one day, seeing a unified country.
"North Korea is unpredictable as you know. We want to make sure that it doesn't get to the next level," said Mark Shim.
Many Korean Americans have family living in South Korea and worry any type of military action will lead to civilian casualties. Shim points out much of South Korea's population is centered around the capital of Seoul, which is within striking distance of North Korea's artillery.
"It's a small country, so close to each other," said Shim.
Many in Houston's Korean community are urging President Donald Trump to find a diplomatic solution to this latest crisis.
"I'm challenging my president, Donald Trump, see whether he can make the deal," said KC Youn. "Put a stop to North Korea's nuclear development, missile development and provocation."
North Korea blames the U.S. for escalating tensions by sending a Navy strike group to the region. The U.S. has warned North Korea not to move ahead with nuclear tests this weekend.
"I don't think Trump will do anything without China and I hope China participates in resolving all of these issues," said David Shin.
An expert on international conflict and U.S. defense policy, Rice University professor Richard Stoll told KPRC he does not believe this latest saber rattling will end differently than similar incidents in the past.
"I don't see it being any different than the large number of previous situations that we've had with North Korea," said Stoll.
The South Korean Deputy Consul General in Houston, Mr. Kim Myuong-Joon, also sent KPRC a statement reads:
"Over the growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula triggered by the North Korea’s missile tests and provocations, the Korean government and Korean People and as well as the Korean Community here in Houston have great concerns. In response to the recent development, the Korean government is diligently undertaking policy coordination with our Partner countries including the United States to resolve the issue with the sense of urgency.
"In particular, the Republic of Korea and the United States reaffirmed that our two countries are on the same page in terms of the gravity and urgency of the issue and closely work together including over the recent three telephone conversations between the leaders of our two countries as well as during US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s visit to Korea.
"It is expected that our two governments’ cooperation and high-level policy coordination will be continued and developed when U.S Vice President Pence visits to Korea next week."