Shawn Raymundo

Pacific Daily News

It's not the first time Guam has been threatened by a missile attack from North Korea, but the latest threat is different, said University of Guam President Robert Underwood, who used to be the island's Democratic delegate to Congress.

“I think people are a little bit taking it more serious than in the past because the threat is now becoming very specific and it looks like these two individuals who have short tempers are intent on egging each other on,” Underwood said of President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. “That’s creating some anxiety.”

North Korea has said it is drawing up plans within the next week to launch four missiles toward Guam, landing about 20 miles or so offshore.

Underwood said the United States is now engaged in the same diplomatic policy rogue nations typically use, which he referred to as disruptive diplomacy.

“It seems to me that disruptive diplomacy, which is what is being practiced now, is usually practiced by someone who is trying to upset the current power balance. That’s why it’s rogue states that practice disruptive diplomacy, making wild charges, wild claims,” he said.

Trump's stance

Underwood said Trump's handling of the situation is a stark departure from how previous presidential administrations have dealt with North Korea.

“Obviously, their tone was very different and more measured. If you remember President (George W.) Bush, he called (North Korea) part of the axis of evil, which was a pretty strong statement, but never reached a level where they were making a specific threat of bombardment,” Underwood said.

READ MORE:

'Don't look at the flash or fireball' — Guam Homeland Security releases fact sheet in light of North Korea threats

North Korea missiles can reach Guam in 14 minutes, local official says

Underwood said that during his time in Congress, between 1993 and 2003, he would request briefings on the status of North Korea's weapons. Despite the escalating threats from North Korea, Underwood said, he thinks the chances of Guam being hit by a North Korean missile are still remote.

That's because of the missile defense systems in place and the "technical incompetence" of North Korea, Underwood said.

University of Guam history professor Anne Perez Hattori said it’s difficult to believe that a country such as North Korea would be willing to attack Guam and essentially start a war with the United States.

“You have to think logically. If North Korea were to take action like this, that would mean annihilation for them. They’re not a big country,” Hattori said. “Donald Trump is going to obliterate them. Do they really want self-annihilation? I don’t think they’re so insane to see the annihilation of their country.”

Distrust in presidency

At the same time, the island lacks confidence in Trump, she said.

“On Guam, there’s a kind of distrust in the presidency. That’s another important issue. There isn’t this deep-seated faith that this president cares all that much about Guam,” she said. “For us on Guam, there is literally nothing we can do. Whether or not any bombs are launched, we are thoroughly powerless."

READ MORE:

Some Guam residents worry, others go on with lives after North Korea threats

Mental health professionals urge calm in light of recent North Korea threat

Guam is used to being in the crosshairs of international conflicts, said Michael Bevacqua, chairman of the Independence Guahan task force.

“In some ways, of course, this feels very much the same because every year or two years or so there’s a new threat from North Korea or China … we are used to this kind of drumbeat, but that doesn’t mean it’s not different,” he said.

“If you look at the social media chatter compared to this time two or so years ago, you’ll notice that there’s some key difference, which highlight why this might be a little more anxiety-inducing,” Bevacqua said. “One of those examples is Donald Trump … usually, in the past, when you get this crazy rhetoric coming out of North Korea, usually then from the U.S. you get very calm, but firm. You show you’re strong, but you don’t match the rhetoric.”

(Story continues below video.)

Bevacqua said Trump isn’t very well-versed on this issue, which could potentially bring it to a more violent stage.

“He doesn’t know much about it at all. Today, it’s clear he doesn’t know how the senate or congress works. So that’s why it looks like it’s turning into more of a violent phase, these two blustery individuals,” Bevacqua said.

Bevacqua said the issue of decolonization has become part of the conversation on the North Korean threats.

The current decolonization push, coupled with the threats, have prompted some on island to look deeper into the question of Guam’s relationship with the United States, he said.