Experts assess the real capabilities of the North Korean army

(Baonghean.vn)- In his 2018 New Year's message, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un once again warned the US that Pyongyang was ready for a nuclear war. He also emphasized that in 2018 North Korea will mass produce nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles, but affirmed that "these weapons will only be used if the country is threatened."

An unidentified missile is displayed during a military parade marking the 105th anniversary of the death of North Korean founder Kim Il Sung. Photo: AP

Although these war of words are nothing new in the relationship between the two countries, observers warn that a war scenario with North Korea could really break out. So how do experts assess the real military capabilities of this Northeast Asian country?

Professor Koh Yu Whan, who studies North Korea at Dongguk University in Seoul, South Korea, said: "Although intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) technology is somewhat incomplete, leader Kim Jong-un affirmed that because he possesses nuclear deterrent weapons, the US should not make military threats but should cooperate with North Korea towards the goal of peaceful coexistence."

Eleanor Albert of the Council on Foreign Relations said North Korea's arsenal has between 15 and 60 bombs. US intelligence believes the number is even higher. North Korea's most dangerous current threat to the US could include its nuclear-tipped Hwasong-15 ICBM. Analysts estimate the Hwasong-15's range could reach 13,000 km.

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Photo: Getty

But observers say the big question now is whether these missiles may have an old and unreliable guidance system from the Soviet era. But some North Korean defectors have revealed that the country has started using a newer GPS guidance system, allowing missiles to stay on track.

North Korea’s other “formidable” military capabilities may include an arsenal of between 2,500 and 5,000 tons of chemical weapons, including sarin, mustard gas and nerve agents. These can be fired from mortars or rockets, and the Korean People’s Army has conducted training to prepare for combat in a contaminated area.

North Korea may also possess biological weapons, which could spread anthrax and smallpox. It also has the world's fourth-largest military, with 1.1 million active personnel and about 600,000 in reserve. It also has a robust cyberattack capability. In addition, Pyongyang has the ability to attack with an electromagnetic pulse.

Mr. Daniel Pinkston, a defense strategy expert in South Korea, said that since North Korea cannot sustain a long-term conventional war against the US, they will soon choose the nuclear attack option./.

Lan Ha

(According to Big Think)