ABSTRACT
In the immediate future an implosion or collapse of North Korea is fairly unlikely
so long as the Communist regime continues to retain total control over all aspects
of public life and especially since the vague policy of cooperation is likely to
continue. Nor is South Korea working towards a scenario which is tantamount to
such a collapse; the associated threats and difficulties in the military, economic,
and social areas are simply too great (Hong 1999: 8).
