Outsiders consider possibility of chaos in North Korea

North Korea's collapse has been predicted wrongly for decades.

Some said it would happen after fighting ended in the Korean War in 1953. Others thought it would be during a 1990s famine or when national founder Kim Il Sung died in 1994. And when the death of his son, Kim Jong Il, thrust a little-known 20-something into power in 2011 some felt the end was near.

It's no surprise then that recent rumours that leader Kim Jong Un is seriously ill have led to similar hand-wringing.

South Korea believes that Kim is alive and in control, and most analysts agree that even if he weren't, Kim's powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, would likely take control, possibly with the help of select officials.

Many experts say North Korea would weather the transition just as it has every other upheaval.

But what if it didn't? Here's a look at how other nations might deal with a catastrophe in North Korea.

--The United States--
--China--
-- South Korea --