An era has ended. The dramatic events of the last three to four years, most recently Russia’s month-old invasion of Ukraine, have demonstrated that the post-Cold War order of the last 30-odd years is gone. Much of what seemed certain has evaporated, and many old assumptions are no longer relevant — including with North Korea.

It is a good time to reconsider the DPRK’s future prospects. How will it change in the next 20 or 40 years? There are several factors to consider.