The Chinese wouldn’t move into South Korea. It simply isn’t in the Chinese leadership’s best interest to return to a protracted war on the Korean peninsula at a time when they have a burgeoning economy to sustain or risk internal revolt from the rapidly rising Chinese middle class. On top of that, you know, it’s not exactly easy to drive a tank from China to South Korea. China doesn’t have the same projection capabilities that the USA has. Have you ever looked at a topo map of North Korea? There is virtually no infrastructure aside from a few very vulnerable rail lines and there is some mighty rugged country to cross before you get to the DMZ, all while trying to pacify a few million starving people. You’re making a lot of assumptions about China’s reaction without looking at what they would actually have to deal with to invade. The USA and South Korea have the upper hand here. It’s just a matter of having the guts to play the game.
I think China will inevitably align with South Korea. Both have an interested in making the North Korea problem go away.
For China, North Korea has outlived its usefulness to her. China would for the long-term, rather try to forge an alliance with the South Koreans, and in return, hope a united Korea, under control of the South, would move towards the Chinese Sphere of Influence.
Why drive when you can airdrop:
Chinese paratroopers trained to fight in all conditions
( 2003-12-12 00:23) (Xinhua)
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) paratroopers have conducted intensive training over the past few years, in order to be able to attack the enemy in different climatic and geographic conditions.
The PLA paratroopers boast the lowest accident rate in the world, in terms of military maneuvers, according to sources with the Air Force Headquarters.
All members of the PLA Paratroop + whether privates or generals, first-aid staff, cooks or telephonists + are capable of performing all kinds of combat skills necessary for paratroopers.
Meanwhile, logistic units have also been trained in different ways to coordinate with paratroopers, so as to provide efficient logistical assistance to the latter in combat.
The PLA Paratroop was set up in September 1950. It has been developed into a powerful modern army, comprising infantry, artillery, telecommunications and engineering units, the sources said.
It is very important to remember that China is benefiting greatly from South Korea. There is very active trade between the two. Like Hong Kong, South Korea is more valuable functioning than shackled and bound.
Good post.....and with Kim’s cabinet being sifted, they are all on shaky ground, and young Kim wanting his own loyal comrades, the governance is truly unstable at this point. Therefore if anything is done it will be a covert operation to take down Kims dynasty. China will agree to place leadership over the people as N.Korea has become a thorn in their side they are weary of dealing with. The people would accept Chinese rule as they are indoctrinated that the Chinese are their allies.....South Korea doesn’t want refuges anymore than China. So they will agree as will the US. Just my take....but it is a good time to take this dynasty down...and a covert operation would be the start.