"So ... Is Flesh Stronger Than Steel In North Korea?" Topic

Interesting insight from a former general of South Korea:

A distinguished retired South Korean general warned that a U.S. attack on North Korea would be met by well-armed soldiers fighting with religious fervor to defend their homeland.
"I try to explain to the Americans — if we have to go into North Korea, it is not going to be like going into Iraq or Afghanistan. It's not going to be like toppling (ex-Iraqi President Saddam) Hussein. This would be more like trying to get rid of Allah," said I.-B. Chun, referring to the Arabic word for God.
Chun, speaking at a London think tank late Wednesday, said. "I said to my team: Can you imagine what that would look like? (North Korean leader) King Jong Un and his family is a cult in North Korea."
link

Dan
YouTube link

That operations in this area will be opposed not only by the available organized military forces of the Empire, but also by a fanatically hostile population.

operation downfall
link

TNE2300

Wow, those casualty estimates were insane!

Dan

Didn't they say the same thing about Iraq? Afghanistan?

They did? I don't recall that.

Even on state-run props, the Iraqi civilians looked terrified by Saddam, not in god-like awe.

And has Afghanistan ever had a god-like leader, other than Sean Connery that is, in The Man Who Would Be King? :)

Dan

I believe the "news media" estimated somewhere near a million causalties if we invaded Iraq.

Lol. Oh I heard some "journalists"/commentators make all sort of outrageous prophetic statements about Iraq.

But Iraq was always a "kingdom divided". It only needed the right wedges (and bullets) in the right places for that to come tumbling down.

I don't see those same cracks in Lil Kim's regime.

Dan

Yeah, supposedly the Republican Guard were going to be fanatical, battle hardened, super soldiers lavishly equipped with the best Russian gear that was so technologically advanced we Westerners would be crushed.

I remember reminding people of historical reality back then too.

Last year, while playing GMT's "Next War Korea" with a friend, I asked my gaming buddy (who is more knowledgeable about such matters than I am) what he thought about North Korean fortitude should real war break out. Jim shared the opinion that some believe that the more well-taken care of elements of North Korean society will probably fight better and longer than other North Koreans who have endured less than ideal treatment. That makes sense to me.

Incidentally, the GMT game features a North Korean attack on South Korea which is strong at first and then weakens. (I played the North Koreans because I didn't want the good guys to lose because of my ineptitude for playing this game system for the first time. They didn't!) While "Korea Next War" is only a simulation, I had no idea that the terrain was so rugged and restrictive. Any attacking force going either way would have to use some really good tactics and judgement.

I guess it's wise to not underestimate the North Koreans, nor to overestimate them.

If I recall correctly, during the Cayuse War, one of the Native American shamans convinced the warriors that his powers could shield them against bullets.

It did not turn out well for them.

…his powers could shield them against bullets.

I understand that is the thinking behind the African Gunmen in Life Jackets

bullet proof audacity?

Depends when the body count stops. From the US invasion onwards I'd say the body count is still due to that, so perhaps a million won't be far off once it's over.

The one lesson America has still failed to learn is war doesn't stop when the commander in chief declares its over.

It sounds more cult like with generations of brain washing and propaganda. Reading the article I imagine it would be like some of the Pacific battles of WWII as the US approached the Home Islands. Do we, the US, have any real idea of what was/is being told to the civilian population and how they perceive foreigners, especially non-Koreans?

It have been a decade since I served in Korea, but I doubt things have changed much. We expected – in the words of the J2 (senior intelligence officer) at the time – the killing to be on an 'industrial scale.'

pjm

Striker: "Do we, the US, have any real idea of what was/is being told to the civilian population and how they perceive foreigners, especially non-Koreans?"

Are you suggesting that we observe some form of the ST "Prime Directive", or that we encapsulate them all, under a giant dome, for their own good? :)

Dan
PS. By the way, check this out:
link
link

Thanks for the links. The interviews with people who escaped North Korea are really informative.

Jeff

And more than a bit creepy.

Of course, the other interviews that I came across that were with foreign travelers*, paint a completely different picture. But that's because, no matter how long they stay and whether they know it or not, foreigners only get to see what they are allowed to see while visiting North Korea

Dan
* TMP link

CC: Ye to giant domes, yes! They did it in the Simpsons and we should be able to do it now. As for Prime Directives, only if there's tea and acting in the holodeck.