I am still convinced that the most likely scenario, and possibly the one with the best results, would be for China to quickly invade the North, decapitate the government, and put a China-friendly government in its place, with instructions to “normalize” North Korea with Chinese style capitalism, and to begin peace talks with the South.
This would benefit China across the board. No longer having a rogue regime with nukes nearby, a lot of Korean illegal immigrants, a lot friendlier relations with South Korea with resultant trade, etc.
Your viewpoint makes a lot of sense, I concur!
That’s what I think also - and the US should offer to help by neutralizing North Korea’s air defenses. The danger, of course, is that Kim Jong-un will instantly unleash an all-out, retaliatory artillery barrage which would essentially destroy Seoul, so South Korea is probably not too hot on the plan.