I saw a picture one time (I think here on FR) showing a US soldier and an SK soldier escorting an NK soldier. I don’t remember the details but I believe the NK soldier had wandered into the DMZ and was captured. The US soldier looked to be about 6’2”, and looked like he could bench press 315 and then run about 20 6 minute miles. The SK guy wasn’t nearly as big, but was in excellent physical condition. The NK soldier was about 5’2” and obviously malnourished. He looked slightly better than your average Ethiopian. If I hadn’t seen the three of them together the difference wouldn’t have nearly as obvious.
See 17. And the soldiers at the DMZ are their best. Imagine a NK “4F.” Probably makes Banjo Boy from Deliverence look like an Ivy League scholar athlete. Girls and boys, by the millions. There is no “fix” or “cure” for early near-starvation. You can’t wind the clock back to infancy and early childhood and make up the loss. Tragic for the NK people, while “Dear Leader” Caligulas orgy and gorge to fatness.
It is really telling to look at your average North Korean Soldier and your average South Korean..
Same genetics pool (one Generation removed) same *type* of diet and yet the Avg North Korean is at least 6 inches shorter than the average North Korean..
There was a show on tv about soldiers that serve near the DMZ. I think it mainly talked about the SK soldier. One of the requirements was that they had to be at least 6 ft to do duty up there. It might even pertain to US Marines also. The thinking behind this was that it be more intimdating to the NK army. I would also say that most if not all the NK army is conscripted and only those chosin to be in the special forces receive the best of the nutrition because with the NK old generals and Kim they use these special forces to control and protect their collective asses.
