that any country under whacked out leadership might at any time take extremely irrational military action, history has shown that it is extremely rare unless the country has a huge advantage over its targets. Although it might appear that NK is a military powerhouse, its weapons are antiquated, it's industrial capability severely hampered, and it's population including its soldiers are very likely demoralized and unhealthy. They could certainly do a lot of damage in a first strike against Seoul but that would pretty much be it. Any temporary gains would be erased quickly as the US and possibly China, Japan, and the USSR would all step in to break the instability. None of those players today have anything to gain from that kind of chaos.

The NK army would be sitting ducks to modern weapons. Our anti-personnel bombs and missiles would tear their huge armies to shreds and can now be delivered by unmanned drones. Yes, we're stretched thin but don't believe for a second that the forces we have in Korea don't have everything they need to prevent their defeat. I am certain they have authorization to use tactical nukes to prevent being overrun and that fact has been communicated to the major players. Even though the leader of NK is a loon, his military commanders have to know how things would turn out. These are not stupid people. They're just trapped in a stupid country.

If their demented leader gave the okay for an invasion, my guess is it would be his last act on Earth. There'd be a military coup.

We also forget that the South Korean military is well-trained, well-equipped and downright tough. In many ways our presence is as much to prevent them from getting aggressive as it is to stop a North Korean attack.

Bottom line. A military attack from North Korea is a suicide mission. It will be an end to their empire.

Art