no doubt, that’s their function, i just dont see it as necessary. The S Korean economy is like 30 something times the N Korean economy in GDP. A reunification means little kims out of business, not the other way around.
The idea, of course, is that Kim might think he could defeat the South, but not the U.S. The trip wire means he can't try A without attacking B.
I understand the thinking, and of course a strong economy is a great weapon, a long term necessity for survival. However you have to keep the other guy from killing you in the meantime.