Not the case anymore. North Korea poses a great threat to South Korea via their artillery power, but they have no chance of taking Seoul, intact or otherwise. KPA offensive power ended in the late 80s, when the Soviet Union collapsed. They haven't had enough reserve fuel or parts to do more than the occasional training exercise. They simply don't have the strategic supply reserves needed to fight for more than a week or two. They can unleash holy hell until then, but that would simply end in a month long standoff at the border, before South Korea pushed north of the DMZ.
Infantry is a vital resource in the treacherous Korean terrain, but without air, armor, and most importantly, resupply, it winds up being cut off and wiped out. The KPA would quickly run out of material, and would be doomed. Even in the event they lucked out and make a breakthrough move, their command and control is so rigid and centralized, they're not agile enough to capitalize on it and beat our counterattack.
The North Koreans hold Seoul hostage, and that's a powerful deterrent. An invasion, however, is an act of suicidal madness.
Too many South Koreans think that America is the source of their problems. They have appeased their evil relatives up north and helped to create this mess. SK could have done more to stop Kim and secure their own future. Let's see how they enjoy the fruits of their thought process.
That's largely been the case among the younger folk, but it seems they're coming around. We should at least see how things develop before we throw them to the wolves.
I fully agree with your assessment. To think that the PRK can take and hold ground on the pennisula is ridiculous. They need the nukes for blackmail and hard currency.
I can't believe the number of people here that favor a cut and run policy. South Korean is one of our best friends in the world. We're not going to better our position in the world by throwing our friends under the bus.