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