North Korea's Subversion of the South in the Past

Still on David Kang's article.

Kang pointed out that North Korea's attempt to subvert South Korea disappeared by the late 1980s as the South's political situation became more stable and legitimate. By then, it was clear that the South was not about to collapse from "internal contradictions."

But in earlier attempt by the North, Kang noted that given that the North desired not only the overthrow of the South Korean government but also the support of citizens in the South, the North explicitly avoided attacking the civilian population.

Added Kang: "North Korean terrorists could blow up bombs in downtown Seoul on a daily basis if that was their goal."

Hence, North Korea had generally not engaged in random killings of civilians, "such as occurs between the Israelis and Palestinian intifada."