US Pacific Command Commander Admiral Timothy Keating, seen here in February 2009. The United States and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region are planning a "wide range of options" for a possible leadership change in North Korea, a top US military commander said Wednesday. (AFP/File/Toshifumi Kitamura)From Yahoo News/AFP:
WASHINGTON (AFP) – The United States and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region are planning a "wide range of options" for a possible leadership change in North Korea, a top US military commander said Wednesday.
"We are prepared to execute a wide range of options in concert with allies in South Korea and in discussions through State (Department), which would have the lead, with countries in the region and internationally if necessary," said Admiral Timothy Keating, the top US commander in the Asia-Pacific region.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il is widely believed to have suffered a stroke last August and speculation has flared about his deteriorating health.
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My Comment: I recall war games were conducted two years ago by U.S. and South Korean forces, with Chinese and Russian observers present. A few weeks later a Chinese exercise was done with U.S. and South Korea observers present. What struck everyone with the exercises, is that the geography/seashore used for these exercises were very similar to what a military will expect if they enter North Korea.
I am sure that there are war plans as well as diplomatic procedures that all the countries will go through if there is a change in leadership in North Korea .... especially if things start to disintegrate.
But these are just plans and ideas.