To add more supporting evidence to the assessment above, we point out that
N. Korean system is breaking down on all fronts. Military is demoralized, hungry, lacking adequate training, and poorly equipped. Party officials and security apparatus are corrupt. They are not up to their tasks. Especially, security infrastructure is crumbling. The network of informants is not what it used to be. People are busy with making ends meet, and spying on others takes the back seat. Informants themselves are being ostracized, and state security is no longer capable of restoring the network organization. Most members of ruling elites are on the take, believing that the money is only insurance against uncertain and potentially dangerous future.
State economy had collapsed long time ago. Efforts to resuscitate repeatedly failed because the cure requires the economic reform which will directly challenge the regime’s hold on power. People walked out of state economy long time ago. They pursue their economic life in the market outside the system.
This is not the situation Soviet Union was in after Stalin’s death nor China after Mao’s death. The state institutions were up and running when they died. Never deteriorated to the level of current N. Korea. Thus we can think that this time it will be indeed different.
NK is on China's border; it is half a world away from the U.S. Though we are helping South Korea be prepared to resist aggression, we have no business causing our troops to "face off" with Chinese.
I will go with implosion, no one inside NK gains by losing a war.
OH BOY get ready for Kill Bill Vol 1 ending in NK LOL!