Cato: If North Korea Implodes, Its Neighbors Should Pick up the Geopolitical Pieces

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea remains sui generis, a communist monarchy wrapped in mystery, prone to sporadic brinkmanship and violent spasms.  The young leader’s surprise execution of his uncle suggests regime instability, which might spark new international provocations for domestic political purposes.

The latest events have rekindled predictions of a possible North Korean collapse.  In a recent study the Rand Corporation’s Bruce Bennett argued that “There is a reasonable probability that North Korean totalitarianism will end in the foreseeable future.”

Of course, DPRK has outlived the Soviet Union by more than two decades.  Pyongyang may continue to surprise the West with its resilience.

Nevertheless, the system is under increasing stress.  Columnist Steven Metz observed: “The execution could be a sign that the cohesion of the North Korean elite is crumbling.”  Jang’s elimination suggests weakness, not strength.

Read more at http://www.cato.org/blog/north-korea-implodes-its-neighbors-should-pick-geopolitical-pieces