A conventional war with the DPRK would not last very long. At best, they operate equipment whose hayday was in the 1960's. There is, however, a LOT of it. If they could achieve strategic surprise and successfully deploy their large 'special forces' units, they could make a mess of things for a day or two.

But they have nothing that could even come close to matching what happens to them when SK, Japanese and US airpower gets involved.

The 'war' part of a conflict with the DPRK is the 'easy' part to deal with. How Russia and China react is a complicating factor... Add to that the massive humanitarian crisis that happens after the DPRK's government is gone. THAT would be the expensive and complicated part.


All IMHO, of course.