If all else fails, the D.P.R.K. Army still has artillery dug in deep and close to the DMZ, a constant reminder of Seoul’s vulnerability; if anyone attacks, all North Korea has to do is implement its “Porcupine Strategy” and pull the trigger. According to Pentagon estimates, a conflict in Korea would lead to 52,000 U.S. and 490,000 R.O.K. casualties within the first 90 days, and the former CIA director James Woolsey has argued that 4,000 daily air strikes over a period of 30 to 60 days would be required to annihilate Pyongyang’s extensive nuclear program.

1 to 1.2 million soldiers (including 46,000 in the navy, 110,000 in the air force, and 60,000 special forces)

300,000 assorted military noncombat personnel

600,000 reserves

Three armed citizen groups: the Militia of Worker-Peasant Red Guards, Red Guard Youth, and College Training Units (TOTAL: 4.7 MILLION CITIZENS)

5,000 tanks, 1,700 aircraft, 800 ships, 2,000 Armored Personnel Carriers, 2,400 multiple rocket launchers, and 13,000 artillery pieces

Possibly one nuclear warhead

The army’s minimum height requirement is now 4 FEET 2 INCHES, the shortest in the world

Reports suggest malnourishment and low morale

Hungry and disaffected troops have been reported crossing into China to raid shops and banks

Intelligence suggests that conventional military supplies are dwindling as money runs out

Fuel shortages mean that D.P.R.K. pilots fly 80 percent less than their R.O.K. and U.S. counterparts; ships rarely venture far from shore and tanks mostly stand idle