For more than fifty years, the combined armed forces of the United States and the Republic of Korea have faced down the North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) along the world’s most militarised stretch of land, known as the demilitarised zone. Despite the prolonged stand-off, much remains unknown about the world’s third largest army.

In this authoritative study, James M. Minnich blends academic knowledge with nearly twenty-five years of military experience to explain the NKPA’s origins, military ideology, strategy, combat formations and tactics, to ensure a full understanding of this elusive force. Required reading for politicians and military planners, this concise profile will also appeal to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of one of the world’s most complex military situations.

James M. Minnich is a US Army foreign-area officer serving in Korea, where he has carried out various military assignments since 1982. He is the author of The Denuclearization of North Korea.