Analyzing the Determinant Factors in the Military Balance of the Korean Peninsula

Subject Areas :

Hossein Shahmoradi ¹ (M.A. in East Asian Studies, School of International Relations Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Mohammad Hasan Sheikholeslami ² (Dean and Faculty Member of School of International Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Received: 2018-12-08 Accepted : 2019-03-14 Published : 2019-04-21

Keywords: United States of America, Korean Peninsula, Military Capabilities, Nuclear Weapons, North and South Korea,

Abstract :

Korean Peninsula as an ancient and strategic land, is the place of one of the most complex and difficult riddles of the international scene and factors such as the persistence of war condition due to non-signing of a peace treaty and consent to a fragile cease fire, the continuous confrontational approach of the United States toward North Korea and its attempts to overthrow the North Korean government have made the military situation of Korean Peninsula more and more complicated. Therefore, the whole Northeast Asian region has also been affected. Meanwhile, this long-standing hostility has created several military alliances between the two Korea and global and regional powers, which in turn has a significant impact on the regional balance of power. In such a situation, the rising tensions between North Korea and the United States from the beginning of Donald Trump presidency and the accretion of threats and provocations from both sides, highlights the need for a thorough examination of the military situation on the Korean Peninsula. Research evidences suggest that in many factors, especially in quantitative terms, North Korea has a significant advantage over its southern neighbor, But South Korea has been able to significantly improve the quality of its military forces due to its military alliance with the United States. Nonetheless, factors such as unconventional weapons and missiles and also nuclear power make any conflict on the Korean Peninsula extremely dangerous.