I can't give odds, but what an INTERESTING conundrum that would create. The world would LOVE to see the NorKs go down, but the beginnings of a PRC hegemony in Asia are much worse in the long run. The DPRK is the devil you know...a PRC hegemon is something we'd rather not contemplate. That said, the writer of that editorial was either joking or an idiot. IMO, the DPRK coming down, regardless of how it happens, would trigger some changes.

If the PRC invaded & occupied the DPRK, South Korea would find it shares a border with a neighbor who has a gigantic well-equipped and well-fed army instead of a neighbor ruled by a spoiled twerp-boy who has a starving ill-equipped army. If I was President of the USA after this scenario happened and the South asked me for nuclear weapons, I'd ask "How many d'ya want?" ;)

And the State Department weenies should have a friggin heart attack. That's a nightmare destabilizing scenario.

And the State Department weenies should have a friggin heart attack. Yes, they should anyways.

I don't think it would make much difference to the balance of power in Asia. The only good option for the PRC would be to stabilize NK and then work out an agreement with the ROK and UN for forming a new government and possible re-unification with the ROK. The PRC really has nothing to gain from annexation or permanent occupation of NK. It would only serve to harden regional opinion and unify oppposition against China.

"The PRC really has nothing to gain from annexation or permanent occupation of NK. It would only serve to harden regional opinion and unify oppposition against China." True. More likely the PRC would set up a puppet government to get some benefits out of North Korea.