Following alleged nuclear weapon tests by
North Korea in January of 2016, the United
Nations and South Korea have imposed strict
sanctions on the country, and warned dictator
Kim Jong Un against further nuclear development.
That same week, the North Korean leader threatened
to release a “pre-emptive nuclear strike
of justice" at both South Korea and the United
States.
Such a threat could allegedly provide the
basis for a legal declaration of war against
North Korea, and made us want to know: What
would happen if the United States and North
Korea went to war?
Well, historically, the countries have been
lifelong enemies.
The United States was instrumental in the
post-World War Two division of Korea, with
the US backing South Korea’s development,
and Russia backing North Korea.
Since then, the US and South Korea have maintained
a mutual defense treaty, meaning that in case
of aggression, the two countries will back
each other against an aggressor.
In fact, military alliances are where North
Korea suffers the most.
With very few exceptions, most notably Russia
and China, North Korea has no real allies.
Moreover, even Russia and China would be hard
pressed to go to war with the United States
over a relatively weak and unstable country.
It may be more accurate to describe them as
friendly mediators than actual, defensive
military allies.
So with little to no support, how does North
Korea fare on its own?
Well, militarily it’s a mixed bag.
On the one hand, the country’s military
dictatorship means that nearly all eligible
citizens would be included in their troop
count.
That’s an estimated 5 million active troops,
plus another 5 million fit for service through
mandatory conscription.
By comparison, the US has only about two and
a half million active troops.
Unfortunately for North Korea, that’s where
their military superiority ends.
There is no question that the United States
operates the most expensive and modern military
on the face of the earth.
The biggest reason the US doesn’t have as
many troops as North Korea is that they don’t
need them.
Against technology like fighter drones, smart
bombs, and billions of dollars worth of tanks,
jets, and battleships, North Korea’s outdated,
underfunded, and faulty Soviet-era equipment
doesn’t stand a chance.
Their annual defense budget is estimated around
7.5 billion dollars, while the US spends more
than 77 times that on defense.
And while North Korea does have a slight edge
of unpredictability concerning their nuclear
capabilities, realistically they’ve got
fewer than ten, crude nuclear bombs.
Even one nuclear weapon seems like a big deal,
but North Korea’s nuclear program is believed
to still be in its infancy, and largely ineffective.
By comparison, the United States possesses
more than 7,000 nukes, located all around
the world.
This is alongside a powerful missile defense
system which would likely destroy a North
Korean missile before it ever reached the
US.
In the end, there is almost no way for a North
Korean attack to end favorably for North Korea.
Kim Jong Un is undoubtedly aware of this,
which explains why the country regularly threatens
to attack but has never actually done it,
and likely never will.
But while North Korea may stand alone politically,
that doesn’t mean they don’t have any
trade or diplomatic allies at all.
Find out which countries support North Korea
by watching this video up top.
Or you can get a bird’s eye view at North
Korea’s military and economic strength by
watching this video below.
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