North Korea's Bullying Party 2013, part 1: the military

Just a month ago, when you searched 'North Korea' on a major Western news site such as BBC World or the New York Times, you would get articles warning the world of North Korea's latest threat. But now it seems that these very publications have changed their opinion and are now downplaying North Korea's threats. This would all be very groundbreaking news...
...if South Korea hadn't felt this way from the beginning.

In this series of blog posts, I want to talk about why North Korea's threats of destruction are just that by talking about its military, history of threats, and why the threats still work (ish). Let's start with military.

According to blogger Jason Yu (who has worked with BBC World and others), North Korea is simply a playground bully. Although Western news publication have tried to give the impression that North Korea is a legitimate threat and South Korea is terrified, the reality is that most young South Koreans have stopped caring. To them, North Korea has always been a toothless bully. And with "a fortified military zone – known as the DMZ – separating the Koreas, a strong, technological Korean military, and highly-trained US forces in the area, Koreans feel safer more than ever. This is despite Korea’s thriving capital, Seoul, being a mere 46 miles away" from the last country crazy enough to consider nuclear warfare. Even IF North Korea invaded, it would be no match for South Korea and US forces. 

At a glance, North Korea's military seems like a huge threat. According to The Guardian, North Korea spends 22.3% of its GDP on its 8.2 billion dollar military. (note: figures are from 2008)

North Korea has almost two times more manpower in peace times, and could gain almost eight million more men if they called upon their reserve troops. Based on quantity alone, North Korea outnumbers South Korea in every category except Navy, armored vehicles, and C2-ISR aircraft.  However, quantity does NOT equal quality in this case.  Half of North Korea's best weapons were "designed in the 1960s; the other half are even older. Also, it is certain that due to shortages of spare parts, fuel, and poor maintenance, some weaponry will not be functional" and can do nothing but feed a bluff. North Korea may have"enough combat hardware to equip perhaps ten US divisions" but can match the power of only "about 2.5 US armored divisions" due to it's outdatedness. The Guardian also points out that although South Korea spent a seemingly weak 2.8% of its GDP on its military in 2008, it still spent three times more money. South Korea's army is better funded and has better technology. North Korea's army is large (the fifth largest in the world) but poorly equipped. North Korea may have nuclear weapons, but   So threats of war from North Korea are rarely a concern for the average South Korean.