If we hit North Korea, then the question is will they use 2 and 1/4 million men to invade Seoul, South Korea through the tunnels they dug?
My understanding is the Seoul is about 35 miles from the DMZ. The only way to stop a 2 and 1/4 million men from invading Seoul is with a Tactical nuke. Perhaps additional nuke in Pyongyang to cut off the leadership?
The only alarming question is not so much North Korea, but going to war with China. They are not going to like us dropping nukes next door to them.
I have read that the entire South Korea peninsula was designed for a feigned retreat.
I think the south knows about the tunnels and probably has defenses for them. Plus satellite imagery will let them know where north forces are going.
Maybe the US should sell South Korea and Taiwan an Ohio class sub, with 2-4 nukes on each. That will shutdown China and the Norks.
As a veteran of the 2nd ID I would say it wont be that easy for them.
They have about 700K regulars, rest reserves.
The tunnels might cross the DMZ but then they emerge into the open.
Terrain is mountainous. The corridor to Seoul is urbanized now and will be difficult to traverse quickly. And the ROK army is no pushover.
If they don’t establish air supremacy at the onset their ground formations will get slaughtered.
Not saying it wont be messy but I don’t see them getting to Seoul.