system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: I read that North Korea is "entering a state of war" with South Korea, but few believe North Korea would risk "full-out war". What is the difference between a state of war and a full-out war? Aren't they both bad?
gpt
Until the North Korean army starts bombarding Seoul, you don't really need to worry. 

Entering a state of war means that they're preparing for war, while being in full-out war means they are at war. You can prepare to go to war, and then change your mind.

They're both bad, but getting ready for war isn't as bad as having a war.