The sanctions are the only reason he is still in power, because of the sanctions the North Korean people are closed off from the outside world, and thats why they actually believe everything Kim Jong-il says.
Now, this isn't really true. He has closed off the country by his own accord for the same reasons that Stalin and Mao did. Total control of information is Stalinism 101. Without the sanctions, goods would pass across the border, but not information.
You are right Kim did close off the border on his own accord, which was so he could stay in power, so wouldn't more sanctions be exactly what he wants? Only the goods would pass across yes, but with those goods would come contact with the world outside of North Korea and I think even the slightest contact they have would bring them one step closer to seeing Kim Jon-il's lies.
Completely different, in South Africa you had 10% of the population suppressing the other 90% because of race, where in North Korea everyone there is under the impression that they are treated the same as everyone else. South Africa already had a established trade with other countries, so the embargo hurt them. North Korea does not have any of those economical ties, so any further sanction on them would have little or no impact.
You didn't ask for a good or applicable example where economic sanctions worked. You asked for an example where they worked.
your right But look at all the other cases where it didn't, North Korea, Iran, Myanmar, Cuba, Iraq, ect.. Its like trying to open a door by putting more locks on it, we are only making it harder.
North Korea does currently import some stuff. Without sanctions they'd just do what they are already doing. They limit the contracts to import stuff and have contact with the outside world to carefully selected selected loyalists. North Korea additionally has embassies all over the world, which are full of people who see all around the outside world. They know that the general government line is total and complete BS. But since they are personally invested in the existing power structure, they don't upset the apple cart when they return home.
So wouldn't less sanctions let the North Koreans who are not in the existing power structure, who are actually suffering under Kim Jon-il, see their lives could be so much better?
Yeah, but that wasn't what you were claiming. You were claiming that the government wanted sanctions, because it helped them to isolate the country. I already said that sanctions are ineffective in making countries change their behavior.
sanctions or no sanctions the avg NK has no chance of improving their own lives. The gov allowed a certain amount of economic reform by allowing markets to open around NK. However, after seeing the development of a small "middle class", the gov decided to force currency reform and effectively destroy any "wealth" that the avg. NK was able to save. dont sanction. Millions more NK will continue to die... slap sanctions. Millions of NK suffer/die but this may hasten the collapse of the current regime and installation of a new gov.
Well I guess this is great justification to keep those Okinawa bases now. Just when the military needs a reason, a reason is dropped from the heavens above
Personally, I can't wait to see the NK regime to collapse, as long as it's not causing too much trouble to both China and SK, with flooding refuges or even military rebellions. But, could it be another Iraqi WMD story? Just curious, nobody seems to be interested in the evidence that N.K did sank the S.K ship. Do they have the technology to hide from US and SK alarm system, and actually fire and sank SK ship?
To answer your question: No. Neither the U.S. nor South Korea want to believe NK actually did this. If at all possible, they would overlook it. Australia, Britain, Canada and Sweden were part of the joint investigation so it's nothing at all like the Iraq WMD sham with Bush. The U.N. Secretary General is on board. We can only hope China will join the party in some way, but they have to protect their interests. They will only go so far in pressuring the NK regime, but this level of provocation goes off the edge. On your first comment, I just don't believe China will allow the regime to collapse. I think they are willing to take a lot of heat to avoid that.
