ABSTRACT
Change is coming to the Korean peninsula. The nature and consequences of the change seem increasingly less certain, but the inevitability of significant change is almost unquestioned. The terms collapse, implosion, and hard and soft landings, as they apply to North Korea, have become cliches and largely fallen into disuse. For many, the conventional concept of reunification, sooner or later, remains an appealing idea. Maybe for others it is the prospect of some loosely defined reconciliation between North Korea and South Korea that captures the imagination. For yet others, the goal is simply getting things back to where they were before the latest major or minor crisis. Regardless of the form of change or the uncertainty of the rules of the game, Beijing’s role is crucial. China is a major player—but Beijing’s essential role in the process is too often neglected, even overlooked.
