Korea 2032

Can North Korea conquer South Korea?  A few years ago, the answer would have been a definitive no.  However, events in Ukraine and the Middle East now suggest that North Korea MIGHT be able to pull off a drone-powered invasion of its more populous and prosperous neighbor in the near future.  The DPRK possesses many of the highly survivable precision strike capabilities that Iran and Ukraine have used to fight larger and more powerful adversaries.  North Korean soldiers have gained valuable combat experience fighting in Russia.  Finally, North Korea has nuclear weapons.

North Korea’s economic weaknesses are also becoming less of a hindrance to conducting military operations.  Western sanctions on North Korea are becoming less effective now that middle-income countries like Russia and Iran have opened their markets to the DPRK.  The rise of cryptocurrencies allows Pyongyang to circumvent financial restrictions and access Western markets.    Finally, North Korea can replicate Cuba’s use of Chinese solar panels and batteries to mitigate the impact of a potential oil blockade.

Conversely, South Korea is becoming more isolated and vulnerable.  As of 2026, ROK-US relations are in a rut:  Washington has imposed steep tariffs on South Korean goods and has canceled joint military exercises.  Even if relations with Washington were in better shape, the Iran War’s depletion of US munitions stockpiles means that America can not provide much protection from North Korean missiles.  South Korea is also experiencing deepening political divisions.  Over the last ten years, South Korea has impeached two presidents and survived a coup attempt.

In this game, you play North Korea, and you will need to find a way to use ballistic missiles, drones, mini-subs, and special forces to delay the mobilization of South Korea’s superior military.  The regular soldiers of the Korean People’s Army outnumber the regulars of the Republic of Korea Army by 3 to 1.  Once ROK reservists mobilize, however, South Korea will outnumber North Korea by over 3 to 1.  You will also need to prevent the ROK Air Force from attacking North Korean infrastructure.  Finally, you will need to disable South Korea’s formidable air defenses to enable drone attacks on critical economic infrastructure.  Balancing these objectives will require you to manage your arsenal of ballistic missiles carefully.  Good luck!