Fanaticism.

This is coolbert:

From the H. I. Sutton Internet web site "Covert Shores" and thanks to same.

"Guide To North Korean Navy's Submarine Types"

Excerpts as extracted:

"With approximately 70 boats North Korea has possibly the largest submarines fleet in the world. It is rivalled only by the U.S. navy and PLAN (Chinese Navy). And while the submarines themselves may be small or antiquated, the men who man them have a proven track record. They exhibit loyalty, discipline, basic naval competence and aggressive leadership."

PARTICULAR EMPHASIS HERE ON LOYALTY, DISCIPLINE, AGGRESSIVE LEADERSHIP!

"A Sang-O damaged during an infiltration mission off South Korea on 8th September 1996. It had landed 3 agents on 15th September and was attempting pick them up when its propeller was damaged. 25 crew and commandos escaped and fought a series of skirmishes with South Korean troops while attempting to flee to the border. One was captured and the rest were killed, ten by their own commander who appears to have committed suicide. 11 South Korean soldiers and 6 civilians were also killed."

North Korean special operations submarine commander killing his own men rather than having any of them being captured. That has to be surely the most severe demonstration of loyalty, discipline and aggressive leadership imaginable. Koreans normally a very tough people and the North Korean even much more so.

coolbert.