Comparing North Koreans and South Koreans is pretty deep in apples and oranges territory. I work with some people who have had contact with NK defectors, and their education isn't really anything to brag about. Unless you think that Kim Il Sung actually invented the car and the airplane, and once flew to the moon. I wouldn't have guessed his name, even on multiple choice. The NK's have a hard enough time keeping their T-62 tanks running, much less tinkering with nuclear fission.
South Koreans, on the other hand, could probably make a very good nuclear weapon in little to no time. They are very intelligent and educated, and would be very well funded. North Korea, not so much.
Underestimating your enemy has been the cause of many military disasters. Sun Tzu had much to say on this topic, as did Clausewitz. I should think it is a point that needs no elaboration.
("Varus, where are my legions?")
You all seem to miss the relevence of the "Axis of Evil" paradigm. This "triad" has, in my estmation, been working in concert to develop WMD's. It seems that in Iran, there is even a whole town of NK personnel. Why do you think that Kim Sung Il went ballistic when we went into Iraq? There is already evidence that Iran has enriched uranium. But, it is suddenly Korea that is claiming to have WMD's. Do not be fooled into thinking that these were purely indiginous developments. Take a look at the French participation in Iran and NK.
We are only seeing the veritable "tip of the iceberg". We don't have access to accurate intell. What we do get I suspect is deliberate disinformation, designed to make the Axis members think that we are on the wrong track.
Me?, I think war is imminient. We will move on NK AFTER we receive assurances that China won't move on Taiwan. Look to Russia to be the "Hammer of deterence" there. France will piss and moan about American "Colonial" efforts, all the time supporting NK and Iran.
Most of this is obvious, just under the surface. The Polito-critters KNOW this. That is one of the contributory causal actions to the circus that is the electoral cycle this time.
Most that read this don't know me from Adam, but those that have been on FR for more than a month know that I havr been right more than I have been wrong
Semper Fi