No, but they could kill a lot of people.ย
Could North Korea’s Army Crush the U.S. Military in a War?
Other than North Koreaโs massed dug in artillery forces, Pyongyangโs enormous and well training special operations forces are the most dangerous threat facing the United States and the South. According to U.S. military sources, Pyongyangโs special operations troops are well trained and well equipped and pose a significant danger.
As Washington ratchets up the pressure on North Koreaโor potentially launches a preemptive strikeโthe Kim regime in Pyongyang has options to strike back hard at the United States and South Korea using purely conventional means.
While analysts often focus on the so-called Democratic Peopleโs Republic of Koreaโs arsenal of ballistic missiles, the real threat emanating from the North comes in the form of heavy artillery and special operations forces, which could wreak havoc on the South. In the event of a war on the Korean Peninsula, Pyongyangโs ground forces are the greatest threat to the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the U.S. forces stationed thereโshort of nuclear weapons.
โWith 70% of the Ground Force positioned south of theย Pyongyang-Wonsanย line, North Korea is maintaining a military posture capable of conducting a surprise attack at any time,โย reads the South Korean Ministry of National Defense 2014 defense white paper.ย โIn particular, the 170 mm self-propelled guns and 240 mmย MRLSย [multiple launch rocket systems] in forward positions are capable of surprise, massive concentrated fire on the Greater Seoul Metropolitan Area (GSMA). The 300 mmย MRLย currently under test development by North Korea is able to reach the middle part of theย ROKย considering its maximum firing range.โ
Additionally, North Korea has reinforced its artillery forces withย 122mmย towedย MLRSย systems in the coastal area near the West Sea coast and near theย frontlines. The North Korean artillery pieces would be protected by covered trenches to enhance their survivability during combat operations. Altogether, the South Korea estimates that the North has some 8,600 pieces of tube artillery and 5,500ย MLRSย batteries available to its forces.
Meanwhile, North Korea is also modernizing its armored forcesโbut the mechanized troops are not the main focus of the regime in Pyongyang. โEquipment modernization is also constantly pursued, such as replacing the existing T-54 and T-55, the main tanks of the armored and mechanized units, with theย Chonma-hoย andย Songun-hoย tanks,โ the white paper reads. Theย DPRKย has more than 4,300 tanks and 2,500 other armored vehicles at its disposal according to South Korea.
Other than North Koreaโs massed dug in artillery forces, Pyongyangโs enormous and well training special operations forces are the most dangerous threat facing the United States and the South. According to U.S. military sources, Pyongyangโs special operations troops are well trained and well equipped and pose a significant danger.
โSpecial operation forces are currently estimated at 200,000 strong. The special operation forces have a diverse array of strategic, operational, and tactical units, including theย 11thย Corps, the light infantry division of the forward corps, and light regiment of the forward divisions,โ the South Korean white paper reads. โThe role of these special operation forces is extended to cover infiltration into the forward and rear areas to strike major units and facilities, assassinations of key personnel, disruption of rear areas and hybrid operations. Infiltration is to be made during a war throughย underground tunnels, holding areas for infiltration in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), submarines, Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCACs), AN-2 aircraft, helicopters and various other methods.โ
Though technologically backwards for the most partโin the event of warโthe North Koreans could inflict severe damage to South Korea and the U.S. forces stationed on the peninsula.
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Daveย Majumdarย is the defense editor for The National Interest. You can follow him on Twitter:ย @davemajumdar.