Steep price tag expected for victory in N. Korea - War would be 'military's nightmare'

USA Today ^ | February 28, 2003 | Paul Wiseman

[AntiGuv]

SEOUL, South Korea -- The United States and South Korea would almost certainly win any war on the Korean peninsula, but the cost of victory could be appalling.

If North Korea attacked first or its war machine wasn't seriously damaged by a U.S. strike aimed at destroying its nuclear weapons program, in the first two or three weeks of fighting that nation could use its awesome firepower to leave more than 1 million people dead or wounded. Most would be South Korean troops and civilians, but thousands of U.S. troops stationed here would also likely die, the U.S. military estimates.

[P.O.E.]

North Korea may have enough for a one-shot catastrophe. In a protracted conflict, unless they get help from China, they don't have a chance.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

They don't bark without their owner's permission.

[P.O.E.]

I just hope no-one mistakes China's detachment from disinterest. I bet they are watching Iraq, the protests, the UN, the split in Europe, etc., and waiting.

[SBprone]

Here's my prediction: Kim Jong Sh*thead will not die from natural causes. He will most likely be shot or clubbed to death by NK soldiers during the chaos surrounding the collapse of his government.

If his generals are stupid enough to obey an order to attack we will defend the South with tatical nuclear weapons. Overall it will be a big win for NK citizens. Either they will enter the hereafter or they will finally get fed.

[AntiGuv]

Can anyone think of a better opportunity for China to mount its long-yearned invasion across the Taiwan Straits? Just something that I've been mulling over, along with this Korean crisis...

[P.O.E.]

No-one is in any hurry to rile China. Taiwan is but one of the many money-making territories the dragon would just love to consume.

[Thud]

This is typical recycling of 20-30 year-old stories. North Korea no longer has the capability of doing anything beyond bombarding Seoul, which would be bad enough. The South Koreans could take the North Koreans in a one on one in about two months.

But it would be over faster than that with us involved. We can simply take out the many railroad bridges and tunnels in the very mountainous North Korea using precision-guided munitions. That would take about 2-3 weeks. Then they'll starve, assuming they don't collapse for other political or economic reasons first.

[KaiserofKrunch]

If the U.S. is engaged simultaneously in NK and Iraq, I can see China making a try for Taiwan.

[bonesmccoy]

Nightmare scenario!

1. US hits Iraq
2. NK hits SK/Japan
3. US/SK/Japanese forces deploy in Western Pacific to counter NK attack.
4. China hits Taiwan.

End result, China controls Taiwan. NK decimated by SK/Japanese/US forces.

The big lynch pin here is Russia.

If China deploys out to Taiwan, Russian/US forces could attack through NK to seize Manchuria. The Japanese/Russian/US triad would gain control of oil fields, uranium mines, and other resources currently being soaked by the PLA.

So, basically, if the PLA hits Taiwan, we need to signal intent to unify with Russia to seize Manchuria and roll-back Chinese Communism from East Asia.

[Dont Mention the War]

South Korean defenses could be pummeled for several hours by as many as 500,000 artillery rounds per hour from North Korean positions just 30 miles from Seoul.

Gee, if I didn't know any better, I'd say this sounds a little bit like exactly like the American "Shock and Awe" plan for Baghdad. I guess this means we'll be seeing massive worldwide protests against North Korea any day now when hell freezes over.

After all, think of those ONE MILLION PLUS dead innocent Korean civilians! Certainly the anti-war movement is against that...?

[AntiGuv]

You're dreaming. Russia wouldn't lift a finger on our behalf in that scenario...

[RightOnline]

"The North has about 100 No Dong missiles that can hit Japan."

How appropriately named.

These d**kless little bastards had best stay in their filthy little hovels and just continue to starve. They're mouths are writing checks that they just can't cash..............

[Steel Wolf]

Everyone, repeat after me:

1 - China does not own North Korea.

2 - China will not help North Korea in a war. China would be commiting economic suicide to do so.

3 - China is not going to invade Taiwan until they have a reasonable chance of winning.

4 - China is not behind militant Islam.

Letting go of the tinfoil will help your understanding of the region. Once you start reading too much into what is going on, you blind yourselves