Photo of T.Y. Wang

Professor and Chair of the Department of Politics and Government T.Y. Wang

As fears mount about the potential for a nuclear showdown between the U.S. and North Korea, the Chicago Tribune reached out to East Asia politics expert T.Y. Wang. Wang warned against overreacting to the escalating rhetoric on both sides.

“Panic is not something that we should embrace right now.” –T.Y. Wang

The article notes that faculty can play a role, and “as faculty members in his department prepare for the start of fall classes, Wang said he has advised them to engage students in conversation about international affairs but to encourage active participation in the democracy, rather than fear.

“Life still has to go on,” Wang said. “I’m hoping that advisers in this situation will be able to advise students to keep a cool head.”