The Ugly War for North Korea

North Korea lost at least 10% and maybe as many as like 20 to 25% of its pre-war population in the fighting. The sheer scale of the devastation that's wrought on North Korea allows Kim Il-sung to not just hang into power, but reinforce his own power. And so by the end of the war, North Korea is about as wrecked as a country has ever been, but Kim Il- Sung's power is locked down.