Rep. Charlie Dent predicted Friday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un won't undertake any massive military actions that threaten the survival of his regime.
Dent, R-Penn., said on CNN Friday that Kim's regime is "a very real threat" but it would be a major risk for North Korea to take any action given the ensuing response would likely mean his downfall.
There's a chance North Korea may fire a missile or make some sort of other unconventional attack on South Korea and its allies, but it's unlikely, he said. Dent recently traveled to the Korean Peninsula for the first time.
"I do not believe they would necessarily launch a convention attack against South Korea, because that is a conflict they would lose," he said. "I don't think (Kim) will take any actions that will lead to the downfall or demise of his regime."
Dent's comments come a day after Trump said there was a chance for a "major, major conflict" with North Korea.
While President Trump has rattled sabers at North Korea recently and talk of an American preemptive strike against Kim's nuclear weapons programs has heated up, Dent said South Korea itself doesn't seem that worried.
"The South Koreans have heard this before," he said. "I think they are a little bit less alarmed than we are."
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