Aknauta
03-06-2003, 11:23 AM
Seattle Times
The Seattle Times March 04, 2003
The Korean War II: Analysts assess both sides in hypothetical conflict.
The North's edge is more than matched by U.S. and South weaponry support and technology, experts say. But if Pyongyang attacked first, the casualties could exceed 1 million, largely because of its chemical arsenals. Such considerations undoubtedly come into play as U.S. officials consider a pre-emptive strike, but that would have bloody results, too. In fact, many say another Korean War would likely be a repeat of the first.
By Paul Wiseman
Gannett News Service
SEOUL, South Korea — The United States and South Korea would almost certainly win any war on the Korean peninsula, but the cost of victory could be appalling.
If North Korea attacked first or if its war machine wasn't seriously damaged by a U.S. strike aimed at destroying its nuclear weapons program, in the first two or three weeks of fighting that nation could use its awesome firepower to leave more than 1 million people dead or wounded. Most would be South Korean troops and civilians, but thousands of U.S. troops stationed here would also likely die, the U.S. military estimates.
South Korean defenses could be pulverized for several hours by as many as 500,000 artillery rounds per hour from North Korean positions just 30 miles from Seoul. North Korea's 500 to 600 Scud missiles, many carrying chemical weapons, could pound targets across South Korea, and longer-range missiles could hit civilian and U.S. military targets as far away as Japan and possibly even America's West Coast.
1950-53 conflict, 3 million people on both sides were killed (http://globalsecurity.org/org/news/2003/030304-korean-war01.htm)
The Seattle Times March 04, 2003
The Korean War II: Analysts assess both sides in hypothetical conflict.
The North's edge is more than matched by U.S. and South weaponry support and technology, experts say. But if Pyongyang attacked first, the casualties could exceed 1 million, largely because of its chemical arsenals. Such considerations undoubtedly come into play as U.S. officials consider a pre-emptive strike, but that would have bloody results, too. In fact, many say another Korean War would likely be a repeat of the first.
By Paul Wiseman
Gannett News Service
SEOUL, South Korea — The United States and South Korea would almost certainly win any war on the Korean peninsula, but the cost of victory could be appalling.
If North Korea attacked first or if its war machine wasn't seriously damaged by a U.S. strike aimed at destroying its nuclear weapons program, in the first two or three weeks of fighting that nation could use its awesome firepower to leave more than 1 million people dead or wounded. Most would be South Korean troops and civilians, but thousands of U.S. troops stationed here would also likely die, the U.S. military estimates.
South Korean defenses could be pulverized for several hours by as many as 500,000 artillery rounds per hour from North Korean positions just 30 miles from Seoul. North Korea's 500 to 600 Scud missiles, many carrying chemical weapons, could pound targets across South Korea, and longer-range missiles could hit civilian and U.S. military targets as far away as Japan and possibly even America's West Coast.
1950-53 conflict, 3 million people on both sides were killed (http://globalsecurity.org/org/news/2003/030304-korean-war01.htm)