CAPTAIN AMERICA
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First, it should be borne in mind that the bulk of the military mass will now be provided by South Korea, which has around 5mn men in the reserves and a massive industrial base of its own. The most important US contribution will be its surveillance and reconaissance capabilities, air and naval power, and amphibious operations. Such a single-minded emphasis on the US is misplaced.
Second, whereas in the 1980′s the KPA was a motivated and able force, it is far from clear whether that is still the case. There are numerous reports of metastasizing corruption within the DPRK reaching to the highest levels of government. As happened in 2003 Iraq, it may even be possible to bribe some North Korean generals into non-interference or surrender.
Third, likewise it is not at all clear that the general North Korean population will willingly fight for the regime, at least not with the fanatic zeal one sees in DPRK propaganda. Yes, the hermit kingdom remains, by and large, a very closed society. However, hundreds of thousands have emigrated into China, and millions have now been exposed to videos of life in South Korea. Since the early 2000′s, VCRs have become accessible to better-off North Koreans, along with black-market DVDs of South Korean dramas and films. Observers report a (relative) relaxation of social controls not for lack of effort, but simply because the resources available for surveillance have plummeted along with everything else - and increasing disillusionment with the government.
Fourth, another very important thing is that the DPRKs fertility rate has been at or below the replacement level rate of 2.1 children per woman since the 1990′s. Historically, only high-fertility nations have been able to sustain intense guerilla campaigns or peoples wars, since the death of a son is far more tragic and economically ruinous when he is your only one. Moreover, most of the troops invading North Korea will be fellow Koreans yet another disincentive for waging an uncompromising resistance struggle.
Fifth, the importance of the allied technological edge must not be underestimated. When you are losing five or ten soldiers for every one of the enemys, the will to fight becomes incredibly sapped. And those are the likely ratios when low-category North Korean units come up against the advancing Combined Forces.
How a Second Korean War will be Fought | Sublime Oblivion
Second, whereas in the 1980′s the KPA was a motivated and able force, it is far from clear whether that is still the case. There are numerous reports of metastasizing corruption within the DPRK reaching to the highest levels of government. As happened in 2003 Iraq, it may even be possible to bribe some North Korean generals into non-interference or surrender.
Third, likewise it is not at all clear that the general North Korean population will willingly fight for the regime, at least not with the fanatic zeal one sees in DPRK propaganda. Yes, the hermit kingdom remains, by and large, a very closed society. However, hundreds of thousands have emigrated into China, and millions have now been exposed to videos of life in South Korea. Since the early 2000′s, VCRs have become accessible to better-off North Koreans, along with black-market DVDs of South Korean dramas and films. Observers report a (relative) relaxation of social controls not for lack of effort, but simply because the resources available for surveillance have plummeted along with everything else - and increasing disillusionment with the government.
Fourth, another very important thing is that the DPRKs fertility rate has been at or below the replacement level rate of 2.1 children per woman since the 1990′s. Historically, only high-fertility nations have been able to sustain intense guerilla campaigns or peoples wars, since the death of a son is far more tragic and economically ruinous when he is your only one. Moreover, most of the troops invading North Korea will be fellow Koreans yet another disincentive for waging an uncompromising resistance struggle.
Fifth, the importance of the allied technological edge must not be underestimated. When you are losing five or ten soldiers for every one of the enemys, the will to fight becomes incredibly sapped. And those are the likely ratios when low-category North Korean units come up against the advancing Combined Forces.
How a Second Korean War will be Fought | Sublime Oblivion