Renewed conflict on the Korean peninsula could kill hundreds of thousands of people in the first few days alone even if no nuclear weapons are involved, according to a new report by the Congressional Research Service.
Given population densities on the peninsula, military conflict “could affect upwards of 25 million people on either side of the border, including at least 100,000 US citizens,” according to a 62-page assessment sent to US lawmakers Friday and obtained by Bloomberg News.
The grim report comes after tensions between the US and North Korea peaked over accelerated missile and nuclear weapons tests by Kim Jong Un’s regime, exacerbated by a war of words between Kim and US President Donald Trump. Earlier Friday, US Defence Secretary James Mattis visited the demilitarised zone between North and South Korea, saying the US is continuing to pursuing diplomacy as the preferred choice to resolve the crisis.
Even if North Korea “uses only its conventional munitions, estimates range from between 30,000 and 300,000 dead in the first days of fighting,” the report said, citing North Korea’s ability to fire 10,000 rounds per minute. Moreover, the conflict could quickly spread to involve forces from China, Japan and Russia.
Trump is scheduled to visit South Korea as part of a tour through several Asian nations starting next week. Mattis, in Seoul for annual military talks, reiterated Saturday that the use of any nuclear weapons by North Korea would be met with a “massive” response and said the threat had accelerated from earlier this year.
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