[NJ_gent]

"Nothing happens in NK without the PRC's approval."

This was once true, but not anymore. Please see my #13 for details. Also, take a look at the massive military build-up of Chinese military forces along the North Korean border for further evidence that China is unable to continue its control over North Korea. Officially, those forces are there to help control rampant illegal immigration from refugees fleeing North Korea. I'm not sure what kinds of immigrants they've got coming out of North Korea, but if China honestly needs several tank and artillery divisions as well as air power (bombers and fighters) to stop them, then there's something seriously wrong.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

On the Asia mainland, the guy who controls the food sets the rules.

[ThermoNuclearWarrior]

I don't agree. I think China still has a lot of control over North Korea. China can control them by stopping their aid until they do what they want. Without Chinese aid they cant survive. I think the North Koreans would submit to almost anything China ask of them before losing their only ally. Without China North Korea's regime would fall. I think they would would give into China's demands before they would attack them and get themselves destroyed.

Recently the Chinese have been getting increasingly angry with the U.S., Japan, and Taiwan and I wouldn't doubt that any escalation for us with North Korea would be their doing. North Korea is still China's puppet. Without the Chinese the North Koreans can't survive.