The North has rejected South's call for talks. This indicates to me that the South is more willing to talk than to start a war. The government still balks at the cost of reunification, especially on by force. The economic and human cost is unacceptable.

The South Korean people seem to be keen on downplaying concerns on the North's threats. I think it is recognized that the North cannot carry out afford carry out its threats, at least not in the near future.