For months, the BBC has been communicating in secret with three North Koreans living in the country. They expose, for the first time, the disaster unfolding there since the government sealed the borders more than three years ago.

For months, the BBC has been communicating in secret with three North Koreans living in the country.

  • Rozinante@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    2·
    2 years ago

    This is such an appalling situation. I get why the sanctions against North Korea are in place, but surely they can be weakened, at least in regard to food and medical supplies. The ordinary people there are just trying to survive, raise their children and get by, just like everyone else. They are not the enemy, they are not in charge of the nukes. I don’t think that most people in the west really understand how little autonomy the ordinary North Korean has.
    Also, and I am aware it is controversial and illegal under international law…but can we not just assassinate Kim? Western governments seem to be able to topple governments when there is oil involved all the time.

    • goat@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      2·
      2 years ago

      The food and medical supplies don’t go to the ordinary people. Assassinating political leaders only fuels their followers.

      • Rozinante@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        1·
        2 years ago

        What do you think would work? I think at least some of the food would go to ordinary people, even if a lot of it would be creamed of by those in power. China and Russia used to supply them with it years ago.I don’t know what the solution is, but letting millions starve to death surely is not the right way either.

        • goat@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          0·
          2 years ago

          There’s nothing that can be done without risking an all-out war. North Korea’s military isn’t a threat, their soldiers are weak, and their technology is ancient.

          It’s China that’s a threat. They have been itching for war for the past few decades yet haven’t had good enough of a clause to do so yet.

          North Korea is pretty much a vassal or a landing ground for China at this point. North Korea obviously doesn’t want this, nor can they begin communicating and making amends with South Korea because that’d disrupt their power over the citizens. Currently, South Korea and North Korea are in communication again, thanks to both third parties of China and US suddenly becoming unstable (Trump and Ping).

          • Rozinante@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
            1·
            2 years ago

            I didn’t know that about China, thank you for educating me. I knew China wants Taiwan back, but was not aware about their interest in North Korea beyond it being a neighbour.It seems obvious to me now you said it. Do you have any recommendations about further reading about the subject?

            • goat@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
              1·
              2 years ago

              Wikipedia. Or playing a game of Stellaris, it helps makes you realise the turbulent relations that different nations have and why they have them.