It will start not with direct military assault on N. Korea, but with financially hitting S. Korea and China if they do not cooperate.
There is a provision in Patriot Act which punish entities doing business with N. Korea. It could apply to S. Korea and China. Their big corporations could lose access to international finance. This will completely cut off N. Korea's economic pipeline from outside. If this does not produce desired outcome in timely manner, and N. Korea goes ahead with nuclear test, U.S., China, and Japan will do something. There won't be massive U.S. ground assault into N. Korea, but plenty of missiles and bombs will fly. Chinese ground troop movement is a possibility. As for S. Korean ground troops moving north, we can't tell at this time. Roh could fight this move. On the other hand, he may not want to be the president who allowed China to take over N. Korea.
Why not? It improves his security. He's protecting his country.
wow. I just haven't thought as much could or would be done. The fall elections are coming up, and I wouldn't be surprised if Kim misreads the tealeaves. The media have already annointed Nancy Pelosi. Then, there's the 5th Anniversary of 9/11, which will get much int'l coverage. This may turn out to be an interesting year (as if it hasn't been already).