It kind of begs the question about what the US is still doing in South Korea anyhow. South Korea is a rich country. They can afford their own defense, but its convenient for them for Uncle Sam to pick up the tab. I have stood on the North side of the DMZ and it is clear that the US is just a thorn in the situation making everybody tense. There is no doubt that the South Koreans can adequately defend themselves against any potential "invasion" from the North. There is no reason for the US to be there. The constant presence of US marines on the DMZ make the North Koreans nervous that the South will invade them.
Alright troll, you sucked me in.
1. You've been on the North side of the DMZ looking south, and from your vantage point three feet from the border in peace village...it was clear to you that the US is a thorn in the situation? SERIOUSLY?!? You deduced all that at a glance?
2. I'm going to presume you've never been to North Korea, and educate you about a few things.
a.) First and Foremost, that's the U.S Army at the DMZ, not the Marines. Specifically, the 8th Army. The infantry units there come from the 2ID, (2nd Infantry Division), with Republic of Korea attachments (referred to as ROKs). Tank support comes from the 72nd armor regiment, artillery support from...you get the picture. Army units. Not Navy (marine) units.
b.) There are an estimated 13,000 - 17,000 artillery pieces on the border, pointed at Seoul, which happens to be ~120 miles away from Pyongyang.
c.) Seoul is one of the most densely populated cities in the world.
d.) If the US was not present, a war between North and South Korea would last 2-3 hours and would look like this:
d1.) Hostilities ensue.
d2.) Within the first hour, North Korea has obliterated most of South Korea's population centers.
d3.) South Korea retaliates with nuclear force, and levels Pyongyang.
d4.) Other stuff, largely secondary given that North and South Korea are largely depopulated.
e.) The presence of the U.S - TODAY - is not as relevant as 3/5/10 years ago. However, U.S. foreign policy takes an incredible length of time to change.
f.) North Korean guards on the border to not "look bored." The half cant of their eyes is because of their asian heritage. Both North and South Korean guards on the DMZ treat it like a ceremonial position - like being in the 3rd Infantry in D.C. stationed at Ft. Myer doing military funerals, or Tomb of the Unknown, or ceremonial duties.
I *have* been to North Korea. I've been to Kijong-dong, and I *have* stood on the North Korean side of the border at the DMZ. If you'd like to see what it *really* looks like there, google it. Google, "Korean DMZ." You'll see pictures of guards on both ends of the border standing at perfect attention.