North Korea - what if ?

[LVZ]

Note: North Korea also shares a short 15 mile coastal border with Russia on the far northeast tip

Most world powers recognize that North Korea's leader is a nut case.

According to the CIA Fact Book, North Korea (smaller than Mississippi) has 22 million people compared to 48 million in South Korea (size of Indiana). North Korea has a GDP per person of only $1700 compared to $26000 in South Korea and $6000 in China.

What if China decided that Kim Jong Il was just too unstable and dangerous to be left to his own insanity while sharing an almost 1000 mile border with China?

What if China decided to take over North Korea with assurances to South Korea of a one-China, two-systems policy as it has done with Hong Kong and Macau, while inviting South Korean joint economic development of the northern region with added assurances of relaxed movement of citizens between north and south?

The primary gain for China is removing a nuclear threat and source of instability to the area. However, it would also likely help halt the influx of desperate North Koreans into China by providing alternative economic options within the Korean territory with the help of South Korean business

How do you think other nations react?

South Korea?
Russia?
Japan?
United States?
Taiwan?

[LeftinOH]

1. China has no reason to fear anyone (even us); hopefully, they'll flex some muscle

-towards NK, that is.

[On the Road]

2. The Question is how the North Koreans Would React

They would probably fire those Taepodong missiles right straight at Beijing.

Acting on a belief another country is insane is itself dangerous, and likely to lead to unnecessary wars of aggression. (Wasn't Saddam always held up as a dangerously unstable figure?) Insular, nationalistic, and repressive does not add up to insanity.

The most important thing is to understand their view of the world. North Korea should, for example, be part of the United Nations -- it is a historical accident that they are not.

[LVZ]

3. defending Kim Jun Il's I-am-god behavior? I guess there will always be someone ...

There are a few significant differences between Bush's unprovoked intervention in Iraq and any hypothetical but unlikely one that might be taken by the Chinese in North Korea.

1) North Korea is known to have nukes
2) China shares an almost 1000 mile border with North Korea
3) China has a North Korean refugee problem
4) Authoritarian China needs no phony rationalization to take action