[TigerLikesRooster]

If N. Korea goes down, some remnants of old regime could turn into organized crime syndicate. With their experience and skills, this may be the only one they could be good at. On the other hand, what we have now is a large state-level organized crime synicate with large army and nukes.

China may think they are engaged in cold realpolitik. On the other hand, they are not good at making decisive changes. They could be brutal but their leadership runs on inertia. They are kicking the can down the road, exacerbating the problem.

There is some consensus in S. Korea which is that the border(DMZ) should be maintained even after N. Korea has become part of S. Korea. N. Korean defectors(refugees) themselves acknowledge that it is really hard to adjust to S. Korean society. They speak the same language and share same heritage, but in reality, S. Korea is as alien as America. Two groups are culturally segregated. So it may be good for both groups to stay inside their region for a while. S. Korea may have to relocate all their outsourced factories to N. Korea. They could provide cheapest labor in the world. It will keep them productive and raise their living standard. It is better that way than coming to S. Korea and finding themselves completely useless.

[AdmSmith]

On the other hand, what we have now is a large state-level organized crime synicate with large army and nukes.

Yes, some similarities to Putin's Russia.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Thanks for all your informed comments in this thread.

[bIlluminati]

On the other hand, what we have now is a large state-level organized crime syndicate with large army and nukes.

Is that the U.S. or North Korea (Or Mexico, Afghanistan ...)?