ABSTRACT
This chapter attempts at tackling the difficult task but admittedly the timeline may be long and unexpected events may occur that prove everyone wrong. The most probable future for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is its continued survival. Indeed, over the past three decades, North Korea has faced several political and economic challenges that many thought would bring down the regime. Politically, some of the most challenging times have coincided with the deaths of North Korean leaders and the subsequent transitions to power. Many of the predictions of North Korea's end have involved economic collapse where the failing economy implodes generating revolt from below or a coup from above. The final element favouring North Korea's continuity is the country's military establishment and state security apparatus. The Korean People's Army (KPA) is a large, powerful force that remains a threat to security on the Korean peninsula while providing an effective deterrent to actions taken against the DPRK.
