At the time, Trump was convinced tensions could ultimately escalate beyond just rhetoric and was mulling military options against North Korea. They worried the Olympics could also be scuttled along with its promise of opening diplomatic avenues between North and South Korea. McMaster directed his staff at the National Security Council to prepare a presidential memorandum ordering military dependents in South Korea to leave the country. It's not clear what prompted Trump to suddenly demand the evacuation of military dependents from South Korea. The official said the President wasn't preparing to strike North Korea, but believed North Korea might take military action.

Source: CNN May 15, 2018 22:07 UTC