Any mention of North Korea causes indignation among the majority because of the specific way of life of its inhabitants. This is due to the propaganda of the regime in which they exist. Few people know about real life in this country, so it seems to be something creepy and unacceptable. Despite the peculiarities of the regime, the state is recognized in the world community and has both its own territory and the army, which is called upon to protect it.
Combat capability of troops
The state has a weak economy, it is isolated from the whole world. However, the North Korean army is still considered one of the strongest in the world. It's called the Korean People's Army. The main slogans of the DPRK's ideology are "Juche", which means "reliance on one's own strength", as well as "Songun", that is, "everything for the army".
The army of North Korea (number according to various sources - from 1.1 to 1.6 million people) hassmall budget. For example, in 2013 it was only $5 billion. Compared to the leading states, this figure is negligible. However, she is in the top five.
The North Korean army, which can be supplemented by 8 million reservists at any time, also has 10 nuclear warheads. The first launch tests were carried out in 2006.
Information about the armed forces
The North Korean army is no less closed than the state itself. All information about her weapons is approximate. This is especially true for the number of equipment.
It is known that its military-technical complex is capable of producing various classes of military equipment:
- tanks;
- Armored personnel carriers;
- rockets;
- artillery guns;
- warships;
- submarines;
- boats;
- multiple launch rocket systems.
The only thing that is not created in the DPRK is airplanes and helicopters. Although, in the presence of foreign components, their assembly is quite possible.
DPRK Partners
During the Cold War, North Korea received significant military assistance from its two major allies, the USSR and China. The current situation has changed dramatically. Russia stopped aid due to poor solvency of the republic. China does not provide aid due to dissatisfaction with its policies. However, officially Beijing is still Pyongyang's patron and ally.
The only partner today is Iran. North Koreaexchanges military technology with him. The state also continues to work on the nuclear missile program.
Opponents of the DPRK
The North Korean army is called upon to fight two main enemies - South Korea and the United States. Once upon a time, South Korea followed the path of capitalist and allied relations with the United States. As a result, it has become a fairly successful state.
In North Korea, this was perceived as a betrayal. Its entire ideology is supported by stubborn conservatives who are not ready for change. Even the death of the chief leader did not change the situation. His son and successor Kim Jong-un continues to strengthen the ideological principles. The elite in North Korea will simply not allow him to make changes.
Despite a lot of shortcomings, the North Korean army will be able to fight against the US. And the presence of nuclear weapons exacerbates the picture even more. Especially for neighboring states, which, in addition to South Korea, are China and Russia.
Serving in the army
All men in North Korea are required to do military service. It is the army of North Korea, whose service life is 5-12 years, that is very different from the armed fortifications of the whole world. At the same time, until 2003, this period was 13 years.
Conscription age starts at 17 years old. Bypassing the service in the armed forces is almost impossible. It is thanks to the size of the KPA that it is referred to as one of the strongest armies in the world.
Defense Echelons
The North Korean army has groundtroops numbering about one million people. They make up several layers of defense.
The first one is located on the border with South Korea. It includes infantry and artillery formations. In the event of a possible war, they must break through the South Korean border fortifications or prevent enemy troops from going deep into the state.
The second echelon is behind the first. It consists of ground forces, tank and mechanized formations. His actions also depend on who starts the war first. If the DPRK, then the second echelon will move deep into the South Korean defenses, including the capture of Seoul. If the DPRK is attacked, then the second echelon will have to eliminate the enemy's breakthroughs.
The task of the third echelon is in the defense of Pyongyang. It is also a training and reserve base for the first two echelons.
The fourth tier is located on the border with China and Russia. It belongs to training-reserve connections. It is commonly referred to as the “echelon of last resort.”
Women in the North Korean army
In the country, women have long been able to serve as volunteers. Their service life until 2003 was 10 years, and after - 7 years. However, in many sources there is information that from 2015 all women will be required to do compulsory military service. Recruitment will be carried out immediately after receiving a school certificate.
Women will serve in the army until the age of 23. Many experts consider such measuresforced by the authorities due to the famine of 1994-1998, which resulted in a low birth rate, which resulted in a shortage of the male population of military age.
DPRK is not a pioneer in this regard. For example, in Israel, Peru, Malaysia and other countries, women have been required to serve for a long time.
Main disadvantages of KPA
The army of North Korea, which is reviewed most often without reliable information, can inspire fear in many countries. However, it has many disadvantages.
Weaknesses of the KPA:
- limited fuel resources will allow deployed military operations for no more than a month;
- The impossibility of Pyongyang holding a long-term defense due to insufficient food;
- there are no means of modern technical intelligence, which reduces the effectiveness of artillery fire;
- defense from the coast is carried out with the help of obsolete missiles, and the fleet as a whole is not distinguished by autonomy and secrecy;
- there are no modern air forces, air defense systems, and the available means will only allow a few days to counter enemy forces.
At the same time, the KPA remains one of the strongest armies in the world. Mainly due to the fact that more than one million people are ready to stand up for her defense, and several million others can be called up from the reserve in a short time.
Checking the effectiveness of the North Korean army is possible only in a state of real war. However, this is feared all over the world. No state, including the United States,does not yet want to unleash a conflict with Pyongyang.
