North Korea Research Paper

North Korea’s nuclear capabilities, large standing military, and history of oppression make them the greatest future threat to the United States. North Korea’s (NK) nuclear missile capabilities pose a serious threat to U.S. citizens worldwide. NK has leadership willing to employ these weapons. Their large standing military is capable of fighting a conventional war with the U.S. and its allies. North Korea’s history of oppression under Japanese colonial rule has made them suspicious, volatile, and quick to react when they feel threatened.
There is much debate on NK’s nuclear arsenal. Estimates vary anywhere from 15 to 60 nuclear bombs. There is equal debate as to the range of these missiles. Many experts argue that NK may already have the ability to target the U.S. mainland. NK missiles are a threat to US personnel regardless of their exact capabilities. There is a definite threat to U.S. forces stationed on the Korean peninsula. With the exact capabilities unknown, U.S. officials must expect NK missiles to be able to target U.S. forces worldwide. …show more content…
It is the fourth largest military in the world with more than 1.1 million personnel. This accounts for almost five percent of the country’s population. All North Korean citizens are required to serve in the military. The size of their military and the proliferation of equipment throughout the force makes NK a legitimate fighting force. Although they operate with mostly outdated equipment, NK’s military power should not be underestimated. They are capable of sustaining a conventional war with the U.S. It is unclear how long this conflict would last but there would be substantial U.S. and NATO casualties. In the event the U.S. entered a conflict with North Korea, officials estimate 300,000 casualties within the first 72