Why do both north and south korea remain in state of heightened military readiness

North and South Korea remain in a state of heightened military readiness

Because both countries want to invaded each other.

Explanation:

As a result of the WWII the Korean peninsula was divided along the parallel 38 this division created a communist North Korea and a capitalist South Korea.

The tension created by this division is the result of a long conflict that actually started when Korea was Invaded by Japan from 1910 until 1945. After this the Soviet Union took control of the North while the United States of America took control of the south. the country.

North Korea and South Korea have their armies ready to engage in case of a military action of either country.

North Korea & South Korea both are fighting to be one any only legal government in all of Korea. In the past during the cold war many developed nations shown their interest in this conflict and jumped in.

China, Soviet Union & other communist allies of them supported North Korea as it was democratic people's Korea. At the other side South Korea got supported by united states & other western allies of them.

Finally, war had happened between the north & south Korea during time period of 1950 to 1953. Every part of the country faced destruction. After than North & South Korea having mini battles time by time till these days.