A foreign affairs expert is calling on the U.S. to cooperate with Asian allies in preparation for a possible sudden change in North Korea.

In a contribution to the Los Angeles Times, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations warned about a possible collapse of the current North Korean regime should Kim Jong-il die.

Paul Stares said the U.S. and its Asian allies must prepare for an exodus of refugees, military provocations or a leak of nuclear weapons, all of which could occur in a post-Kim North Korea.

He advised the new U.S. administration to boost its understanding of developments in the North and to closely work with South Korea and Japan.

He also said the U.S. should pursue a dialogue with China to reduce the risk of a misunderstanding or friction in the case of a North Korean crisis.

Kim is said to have suffered a stroke six months ago and turns 68 in the middle of this month.