Could North Korea Collapse? 

Kim doesn't look like he's missing any meals.

A North Korean collapse would almost immediately lead to a Chinese occupation. Which probably would be good for North Koreans. You can't get much worse than the current regime

I used to have a job where I had to interact with North Korean diplomats. They always travelled in threes: The diplomat, one to watch the diplomat, and another to watch the guy watching the diplomat. It was completely out in the open and obvious.

I read an account of a British diplomat in North Korea in the 2010s. Once, he was asked by a North Korean who was helping at his office, "how much did you say the latest missile test cost?" He answered as best he could, using an estimate in non-Korean currency. then the employee said later that day "so how much is a kilo of rice in that currency?" Again, he answered as best he could. He became very worried about this woman, because he realized she had effectively asked "how much food could Kim's missile test have bought?"

As someone from the US, leave that soldier that ran there right where he is. He knew what he was doing, and thought a dictatorship was better than facing the consequences of his own behavior. Let him find out what happens when you mess around.

In history, almost every society that encountered a famine ended up having the population overthrow the ruling government. N.Korea has now had it happen twice and the government continues to remain under control. It can't last forever.

The main reason why I doubt a unified Korea or a democracy shift in North Korea is that China would never allow it. If North Korea Collapsed they would be in there asap to stabilize the situation sadly

When I lived in Strasbourg I worked for a Korean company. Our boss was well-connected in the S. Korea government and I used to spend hours talking to him. As we were right next to Germany, which was still going through the strains of reunification at that point, I asked our boss what he thought of the Koreas reunifying. He said that at that point the S. Korea government would parachute a bunch of aid in and wish the Northerners good luck. He thought the disparities and differences between the two sides as a nearly impossible hurdle for reunification to work.

A mate of mine visited NK, and I called his hotel to ask him how is it?? He said - 'Can't complain'

I wonder if any of those overseas workers that were locked out of the country during covid took that chance to defect

Can you imagine how must unification will cost South Korea? It cost Germany a small fortune and East Germany at least had had running water and electricity. North Korea can't even keep the lights on in Pyongyang.

if they're hungry, they're not worried about the government, they're worrying about their next meal

This one point of people not trusting one another is an important one, in my opinion. North Korea is far from being the only nation that divides its citizens in order to keep its leaders in power, but it is a textbook example.

1:20 - Chapter 1 - The hard unyielding earth 5:30 - Chapter 2 - Self inflicted wounds 9:40 - Chapter 3 - The enemy within 13:35 - Chapter 4 - Hope or horror 16:50 - Chapter 5 - Doomsday scenario 20:10 - Chapter 6 - The china factor

This video is so well done, thank you for sharing it. It was insightful yet terrifying!

It really comes down to if China still has use for them

One thing to consider in a foreign intervention scenario is that china is viewed quite favorably in north korea, while the west is vilified and despised. China would probably be met with cooperation to some degree, while western powers would probably be treated as invaders.

I always enjoy your videos, and this one in particular really gave me food for thought. It is startling to consider the infinite and terrifying realm of possible endgames of Kim's death machine. I enjoy content like this because it shines light on how complicatedly dangerous this regime has grown. Their weapons don't have to "work" in the traditional sense. Their mere presence in such a torn nation creates conditions ripe for cancerous disaster. Thank you for creating these fantastic videos. I find them entertaining, educational, and always eye-opening. Thank you Simon & Team - keep it up!

I really love, how you put out this video right after the Russian Defence Minister went to North-Korea and told the world that North Korea is one of the strongest nations of the world.

I remember Yeonmi Park said in one of her videos that those who blindly trusted the DPRK regime was the first to starve since they believed in that government would help him, instead on going "roge" in order to get their food.

Mercenaries on the OG Xbox and PS2 is actually a pretty interesting look at what a collapsing/failed Coup North Korea scenario might be. Featuring the expected players trying as well as what remains of the NK military and government trying to secure power.

Just a US Navy Sailor (worked in South Korea for 2 years) commenting on the deserter: 1. He ran there. Whatever happens to him is his own damn fault. 2. The last guys who had deserted to North Korea weren’t returned: they had to escape.

Stabilized food prices doesn't mean it Stabilized at an affordable price. It could have Stabilized At $100 for a gallon of milk

Sigh...I watched this after watching a few "Gulf Stream collapse" and "Jet Stream collapse" videos. Incredibly entertaining, educational and terrifying. I try to keep up with all your channels.

As others have said here. When NK almost collapsed during the Korean War, China stepped in. Same thing would most likely happen again. If NK were to collapse, I don’t think china would save it again, probably just extend china’s borders. But the whole point of NK is to have a buffer with democratic SK. So I guess it could go either way.

North Korea- “we’re the greatest country in the world” North Koreans- “we’re hungry” Kim- “shut up lol”

One thing that people that have gone on tours to the DMZ and Joint Security Area have noticed is that the troops on the North Korean side have been laying low since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. When that soldier defected to the North, there were no visible KPA troops on the other side to receive him. There's a strong possibility that COVID-19 is just decimating the North Korean population akin to the "Arduous March" famine of the 1990s.

I do not know who this man is but his podcasts should be added to the curriculum of all US secondary schools Very impressive analysis

"They dont need to be good at anything, except suppressing any alternative" - Stephen Kotkin.

[insert joke about China and US/South Korea agreeing to split post-collapse North Korea down the middle.]

Kim Jung Um is actually the Bond villain Odd Job. And if the citizens are wondering where all their food has gone, it seems obvious that most of it ended up in Um´s stomach.

The only way this happens is if people inside the country actually find out how bad they have it compared to everywhere else. They just dont know how bad it sucks there......

None of us like feeling old, but 2003 is *two* decades ago

its crazy how every single video you make is interesting

Thank you for captioning! You rock!

I follow like 5 more of your other channels yet ever since the christmas truce video this has become my fav

If you don't want to see famine in North Korea - just remove sanctions, which prevent import of basic goods.

I can't help but feel that the type 1, type 2 and type 3 collapses outlined by Richard Bush could be directly tied to Kim's level of diabetes at that point.

North Korean collapse is probably the best case scenario for Taiwan and American interests.

Every time I check out a new video it’s Simon I swear lol

there was a time when North-Korea was isolated from outside, but right now, North-Korea is isolating itself, because their leader knows, if people there knew the truth, their leadership would fall.

Being annexed by either China or South Korea would be a massive boost for North Koreans, the lack of a buffer between China and the US aligned South Korea could be disastrous though.

When you think your life sucks, know North Korea exists .... Imagine being born there.

Been hearing this for 20 years, not any time soon I don't think.

I never really thought about what would’ve happened to nukes during a civil war shit

Im loving these analytical videos of how our current state of affairs could shape our future! You making me sound super smart around my friends 😂 awesome work as always Simon 👏🏽

Great video. The North Korean people really suffer in a way that is almost unimaginable.

4:56 Sudden realization that North Korea is actually Panem from The Hunger Games. WOW... don't know why I never made that connection before.

Here is how to solve North Korea problem: 1. Stop any military activity in sea or air space around North Korea 2. Withdraw US forces from South Korea and shut military bases 3. Lift UN and other sanctions, which are not about producing weapons 4. Start negotiations of South and North Korea with assistance of China and Russia. 5. Open border between Koreas from both sides, removing weapons pointing to each other. Eventually, without outside meddling, these two countries will reunite.

Considering the tightly controlled nature of North Korean society I think that is very unlikely at the moment.

Its funny how you talk about famine and l am watching this while l am eating a bunch of food lol

If West Germany (3rd largest economy in 1990) still has not brought East Germany (ranked 17th in 1990) back up to parity after 30+ years.... there's no way South Korea (13th largest GDP) can fully bring North Korea (#121 in GDP) to the same level, at least not for a couple of centuries. Probably the best case scenario (for South Korea) would be China taking over North Korea and letting it be their problem.

OFTEN, the tighter the grip, the more it slips through the fingers.

Kim Sungeon is right, the PLA would probably begin to enter NK, even before a full collapse, and it is very probable that the NK Northern border units commanders are already more or less in Beijin's pocket, they will be faster, more numerous, and have the initiative (Chinese plan is probably already made for such case while most of US known plans are for the eventuality of a North to South Korea attack). The Chinese flag will wave over Pyongyang before the American congress even take a decision and anyway, that decision... has a good chance to be a "no" especially if China is already taking care of MDW.

A united Korea might be too much to hope for but I at least hope for a Korea in which the people are no longer forcibly separated from one another.

This video makes the often quoted assumption that South Korea wants to reunite with the North; and would do so the first chance that it got. In reality, this scenario is likely to be economically ruinous to South Korea. Having raised itself to "First World" status with a thriving modern economy, there is no evidence that South Korea would be prepared to expend an enormous amount of its hard fought prosperity to bring the empty husk of a collapsed North Korea back into one unified country on the Korean Peninsula.

The one southern Asian nation that might be able to make a difference in the third scenario is India. They have been balanced between the Eastern and Western blocs for decades, sometimes friendly to Moscow,sometimes Washington. China would have objections, naturally, but if India were to ask China to help, then the thing might work. Honestly, I would rather that China deal with the WMDs, they would save face internationally, and if the U.S. were to give them assistance, a whole new situation emerges where tensions between the two would ease considerably. Iran needs to stay out of it.

I like the Enron mug, nice touch... inevitable collapse, I get it .

I was stationed in the ROK 1978-80. I was told back then that the ROK parliament building in Seoul was built with empty chairs waiting for re-unification.

The top guy looks pretty well fed, as usual.

It's really quite fascinating in a very sickening way, how that regime is still standing. It's got to be obvious to any border guards looking across the border, or the elites, or even like the equivalent of North Korean middle management. Kim isn't running that state by himself. Not a single person up and down the line of that entire regime is willing to put themselves at risk over the suffering of the millions they keep captive. At least none that we know of. At some level the line between the regime and its people has to blur, even for the most authoritarian of regimes. They have to recruit their goons from somewhere. It just says something quite terrible about humanity how the entire military at a low level hasn't just up and decided to refuse all orders even for a day, Christmas-truce style. At some point, something's got to give, and that regime has managed to stay standing for over 70 years.

Wish there was a change voice button. It’s just too much man.

A civil war could end up with a North North Korea and a South North Korea

If it does, I hope we have a plan in place we can immediately put into action. We need to be EMTs on a national scale, and the humanitarian crisis will have to be addressed quickly so the power vacuum doesn’t get exploited by less scrupulous people.

1:18: 🌍 North Korea is currently facing a severe food crisis, potentially the worst since the 1990s famine, with reports of starvation and scarcity of food. 6:00: 💔 The current dysfunction in North Korea is not the result of decades of mismanagement but recent choices made by the regime, including sealing the borders due to COVID-19, leading to devastating impacts on food security and a surge in black market food prices. 7:38: 🌍 North Korea's border closures during the pandemic may be a deliberate strategy by Kim to increase his control over the country and prevent the influence of South Korean media, potentially at the expense of the well-being of its citizens. 11:24: 📰 A long article discusses the impact of prolonged border closures in North Korea, highlighting the regime's benefit despite the worsening living conditions and potential food shortages. 15:00: 💣 The collapse of North Korea could lead to a dangerous scenario with unsecured weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. 18:56: 🔒 The collapse of North Korea could lead to the spread of dangerous bioweapons and trigger outbreaks in neighboring countries, with the possibility of rogue actors smuggling these weapons out and causing devastation. 22:38: 💔 The potential collapse of the Kim regime in North Korea could have significant geopolitical implications, with tensions between the US and China increasing and uncertainty over the outcome. Recap by Tammy AI

There are so many unknowns regarding North Korea. We just don't know what will happen. We can't claim to know ALL the variables. But things happen eventually. Good and bad. The question we need to ask ourselves is: can we react fast enough to the bad?

I love watching the beard changes with Simon over time

Do you wish war and misery for North Korea? As if the Korean war was not bad enough? And for what, simping for economic interests?

Thank you for sharing another video

Honestly, a scenario where North Korea is secured as a buffer state by China might not be that bad of an outcome. China is definitely still an autocratic government, and their track record in satellite holdings is ...not good. But unless they go as far as they have in Xinjiang, life under Chinese rule would probably still be an improvement over life in North Korea as it stands. China has just as much a vested interest in getting North Korea's WMDs under wraps as everyone else, perhaps more so given their takeover of North Korea would very much provoke the ire of any North Korean warlords, and they'd probably rather not see a wide scale Sarin attack on Beijing. It could lead to a final end of the Korean War - not the one South Korea is looking for, but at least a scenario where a tenth of the world's artillery isn't pointed at Seoul anymore. (a tenth is an exaggeration, but I've heard American generals calmly state that if the war goes hot, Seoul would be flattened by artillery before anyone could do anything to stop it, so it's a terrifying amount of artillery) Definitely not what I would consider an ideal or just solution - that would be some version of a reunification of Korea that goes as well as the reunification of Germany did. But it could be seen as a geopolitically acceptable compromise.

If the UN sanction is lifed, DPRK will be fine.

Imagine there is only 2 obeese people in your county, one is you, and the others is your daughter 😂

Me watching this at Mexican restaurant stuffing myself "man that sucks" 😢

All these famine problems and the common denominator is and always has been the government…but they stick to it…

how many channels do you have?!

Damn how many channels does Simon have 😭

i wonder if it would affect KIMS waitline

Are you OUT OF YOUR MIND???? How can I live without our Glorious Best Korea and Uncle KIM?? 👁️👁️👃👁️👁️

I've never seen you're videos, first time watcher. But, I have to say, something about your voice is soothing. Can't really explain it. You should work for a radio station or something. Please do audio books as well 😂

I would love for North Korea to collapse but I also don’t feel like the west/East Germany would happen due to generations of separation but I would love for that to happen as well.😅👍🏻😓 edit: I actually want to quickly mention that in my opinion either China will take the former North Korean hermit kingdom or South Korea will take the land and maybe execute the surviving North Korean people both rich and poor just to prevent the South Korean people from committing racist crimes against said North Korean people who were not found of Kim Jon un and his regime in general.

You missed Type 4, where Little Rocket man punches the launch buttons on the way out the door

Thank you Harry Truman for giving Simon the material needed for an episode and on of his channels

I really think that North Korean defectors do not exaggerate anything

"Tubby Tyrant" Haha, good one

Kim has planes that fly in his meals from Europe and Asia while his country starves.

Has it not been and is it not in a perpetual state of collapse?

I know that I sure as hell wouldn't want to run a Hermit Kingdom that couldn't even feed it's own people. If I was running North Korea, I'd be making a call to South Korea and offering reunification for no other reason than to help my people survive.

The problem is they are so isolated they don’t know what freedom is to even fight for

Imagine holding a country hostage because you’re too much of a coward to face justice for what you’ve done. It’s not like they don’t know there’s food out there. There is. They just don’t care enough

I don't know if this is accurate but I heard somewhere that the GDP of north Korea is roughly equivalent to that of Birmingham, Alabama, which to be clear, is no critism of Birmingham

Been a HUGE fan for like a year!!! But I JUST found this channel!! Lol I subscribed…anything that has Simon Whistler in it…I am watching, liking, subbing etc…lol Idk How you manage all of these channels!! But keep it up buddy…you and your team is Awesomesauce!!

The Chinese border is actually extremely vast. It's still the least patrolled border as well as the border with Russia.

The Enron coffee mug😂

Being a pudgy little bastard while the people are starving to death really shows how crazy he is.

One thing not properly addressed in this video is that even in the most positive scenario we would still have 26 million starving North Korean citizens in need of immediate and constant humanitarian aid, while being unable, and in many cases unwilling to adapt to their changed reality.

Excellent and very informative video.

Very smart and wise commentary.

I’m reminded of one of Joker’s lines from Dark Knight: “I’ll show you just how loyal a hungry dog really is.“

North Korea right now sounds like a real life version of the hunger games

Kind of strange that I usually get tons of advertisements before during and after a video accept for ones where someone is talking about China. Coincidence?