NK's population isn't fit lol - they have some of the worst malnutrition rates in the world. On the contrary, South Korea's population is well trained militarily and well-fed, although these points are big nothingburgers in the new age of drone warfare. NK's army is getting ripped apart in Ukraine - they aren't getting any valuable experience to take back home because they aren't returning home.

As I said elsewhere, South Korea's victory requires way too many positives to happen during the first strike itself, else Seoul will face prolonged bombardment or even nukes. South Korea has the capability to do so too. But being a more pragmatic actor, South Korea has decided to go the diplomatic route and urge for peace instead.

> And SK is stuck playing the subserviant host to the US military, which must be great for morale, hey.

Actually it IS great for morale for both South Korea and Japan to have the US military backing them. Part of the reason for South Korea pursuing diplomacy and for 3 major US allies (Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey) forming their own alliance is because they've all lost faith in US leadership if push comes to shove. South Korea knows that after the first barrage by NK, if all of the nukes aren't taken out then and there, then THAAD is useless and SK are sitting ducks.

> South Korea's population is well trained militarily and well-fed,

Some of them are too well fed.