Well, like the President says..... we’ll see.
But consider the fact that the geographically limited Pearl River Delta has experienced tremendous urbanization, industrial growth and population increase. In a decade or so, this rather geographically small region of China has grown into the 13th largest economy in the world. Taipan has triumphed.
It is populated by ambitious and relatively prosperous young people that want the good life. They have rejected the poverty of the hinderlands and moved from home to something new, something attractive, something different.
It is this movement that will be the driving political force. The government will evolve into who knows what but it will not back track into the old Maoist ways.
I’m pretty sure Kim, who after all is young, is motivated by the same forces and sees President Trump as a useful tool in transitioning his very backward nation into change.
We’ll see
it is mostly populated by ambitious young people who like the good life
Russia following the USSR collapse was a mess in the 1990s and is now back to authoritarianism and playing old games. The greater part of the former Soviet space: including Ukraine and others ...is not in good shape. Although some countries show a lot of promise like Kazahkstan and now Armenia with their new Prime Minister.
But with lessons learned and strong Western leadership and moral support from allies, things could be different for North Korea.