up its nuclear weapons, it needs it as a deterrent against the u.s. and issued direct threats against the u.s., saying that it's a grave mistake if washington thinks that the u.s. is safe being an ocean away from north korea. so, so, we're just hearing defiance coming from pyongyang at this point. >> and maybe not that surprising, ivan, because by all accounts, it appears that the ship has sailed now on north korea, getting a long-range nuclear missile. it just seems like a reality that this administration is confronting. listen to this sobering comment from general h.r. mcmaster, the president's national security adviser. >> how concerned should the american people be that we are actually on the brink of a war with north korea? >> well, i think it's impossible to overstate the disabling associated with this. i think it's impossible to overstate the danger associated with a rogue, brutal regime.