The Atlantic has a fascinating articles that examines the various potential scenarios preceding the collapse of the North Korean regime as well as its aftermath (Hint: No matter what China wins). This will put realpolitik to the extreme test. Either way, North Korea will make Iraq look like a Model UN luncheon.
Obviously, the United States could not unilaterally insert troops into a dissolved North Korea. It would likely be a four-power intervention force—the United States, China, South Korea, and Russia—officially sanctioned by the United Nations. Japan would be kept out (though all parties would gladly accept Japanese money for the endeavor).
I wonder what South Korean singer Shin Mina's thoughts are on her problematic northern neighbors.
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