[avaiguite]

NK is posturing itself belligerently...but I don't think that they could depend on Chinese military aid should conflict erupt there once again. If NK actually does more than just posture and invades, more or less the full available might of half of the major militaries in the developed world would basically be instantly mobilized to South Korea's aid. My guess is China would play at being neutral, especially since the fact that NK's (lack of a) market isn't even open to Chinese interests has probably soured Beijing on doing more than maintaining the status quo in recent years. Of course, I could be wrong, but that's how I read the situation--if NK is going into this banking on Chinese help, they're not going to get it.