[gaijin]

My reaction is different:

I don’t like them, indeed I hate them. But...I am COMPLETELY confident that in a fight with no weapon (or just with blunt weapons or blades)they’d best MOST of our troops.

They have a really special type of tenacity born in them, and they’re brought up in a system that whips that up into a brain-washed frenzy. They are the Irish of Asia.

The Norks ARE into artificial displays, yes, but I don’t have the tiniest doubt that these guys are genuinely yearning for a fight; they think they have been deeply wronged —but US. That is why their knuckles are calloused; they have been told we are on the verge of coming over the wire to kill them, and for no reason at all.

I think they’re tough as hell and they have a flamboyant contempt for death.

They are not large, but Japan has taught me to doubt the value of large body size for a person who has been brainwashed that he’s somehow a victim and considers hate his friend.

If we have to fight them I’d advise casting aside ALLLLL MERCY, because we’d nnnnnnnnever get it from them.

[Little Ray]

I agree with you.
That guy’s has been working the bags, and otherwise training. That’s how he got the ding on his hand.
I think he’s deadly serious.

[TigerLikesRooster]

They are indeed tough. It is just that the calluses and wounds on their hands were not seen in previous occasions. I suspect they used to make their guards put up best look. Tough and deadly for sure, but not with any signs of wear and tear.

Now guards show up with visible training wound. It is a change in what image NK regime want to convey to outside world at this juncture.

[gulfcoast6]

I think you hit this over the head, very good.