The two Korean militaries.

[Swampy]

Our recent conversation on the Korean military has gotten me thinking.

I came across this article on the North Korean special forces. I have no doubt they're tough, and they outnumber their counterparts. But they are also working with obsolete equipment, and, in any conflict, they will not be able to count on outside help - in fact, chances are that the world will be on South Korea's side.

Consider what the article says of North Korean paratroopers:

Paratroopers, which lack in effective transport, so they practice infiltrating via helicopter or small planes.

Read more: sofrep.com/10163/korean-special-forces-north-vs-south/#ixzz23vVhVj9g

If that's true of their elite forces, which receive priority, then the entire system is set for a fall - just like the Berlin Wall collapsed.

Now I'd like to give my thoughts on the South Korean military.

I have almost no contact with that country, but I get the impression that, in East Asia, people learn to do things by memorizing, while we in North America are taught to think for ourselves. I understand things are changing, slowly, but my point remains valid.

So the South Koreans may do a lot of pushups while in uniform, but, if they don't know how to take the initiative, they won't be able to perform that well in battle either.

Just my armchair perspective.

[jerryfmcompushaft]

The "individuality" and ability to improvise and take the initiative has long been thought to be a big 'force multiplier' for the American Army, which has been historically, less 'hide bound' than other countries militaries. (I guess I need to add, here, American and American like -'cause you can't slight the Aussies for not being 'free wheeling' and innovative) I don't have much experience with the Canadians and the Brits so someone else will have to give their opinions on them...

[Sir John]

I am often suspicious of goose stepping soldiers on parade, ever since 1939

I ask myself just what is backing them all up, and we all know that the front line is useless without that long line of logistics. First is the actual economy, and the munitions factories and resources. Even basic stuff like food and so on.

Maybe on Day 1 the NKs would have an advantage, but I am willing to bet that after the initial shock they would be rapidly exhausted, both in energy and equipment etc. The NK railways and bridges would be non existent inside a week, and her power supplies soon after.

JMO



SJ

An afterthought,

Paratrooper threats leave me cold, especially in an environment where the defenders are bristling with radars and anti-air missiles.

I am not certain that NK has all that many C47s or C130s, but I am willing to bet it is not many, and replacements would be a problem. Even China does not have all that many.

[Swampy]

I agree with you. But the question is what would happen after a week of the war. The South and the US would be pounding the North, and then what? Would the South be stopped from advancing all the way to the Yalu? Would the Chinese intervene?

[Sir John]

Certainly,

But why head north, let the PRC rebuild the place.

Once NK has been emasculated the PRC can send in a zillion workers and they can build another 100 'Ghost cities'.

SJ