Why not try a different approach with North Korea? Establish diplomatic relations, encourage trade

[Hugabear]

It's pretty obvious that current methods just are not working with North Korea. The more we try to isolate and punish them, the more they lash out. We've already isolated them about as much as possible, and total isolation just isn't possible with China as North Korea's ally. The only thing we're managing to do is to starve the people of North Korea.

At this point, we should seriously consider doing a complete 180. Establish diplomatic relations. Sign a peace-treaty (or non-aggression pact, whatever it is they're asking for) to formally end decades of hostilities. End the punitive sanctions that are only starving the North Korean people. Begin to allow trade to develop. Obviously North Korea isn't in much of a position to export much of anything right now, but we should try to encourage their economy, help them grow.

As I said, right now our approach certainly isn't doing any good at all. If anything, it's only causing NK to become more belligerent. If we're not careful, we may wind up pushing them into such a corner that they feel they have no choice but to attack - if they feel they're going down regardless, they may try to bring us down with them.

[hedgehog]

1. Better yet - bribe the leaders.

[msongs]

2. why not? because the democrat/republican war profiteer machine won't like that. Fear sells weapons n

[NCTraveler]

3. Don't give our government any ideas.

They would salivate at the opportunity of giving big business tens of thousands of more slave laborers.

[Hugabear]

4. Well, I would also introduce legislation to forbid doing business with companies using slave labor

Or near-slave labor.

I don't think there's any easy solution to NK - and it would take a lot of time and investment to bring them into the 21st century. But there's no getting around the fact that the current methods are not working.

[NCTraveler]

6. There is no easy solution for NK.

It would be much better if the people weren't starving to death. It is just hard to imaging enriching their current leadership. And that is what would happen by improving their economy. Something needs to change.

[Populist_Prole]

9. That was my first thought

The very last thing this country needs is another "free trade" agreement with a poor country. With corporatists in charge of our policy, there's no way in hell any kind of restrictions on trade based on human rights will pass. Look at China.

[RudynJack]

5. Because they've shown

again and again and again that they can't be trusted on anything.

Remember when China sent a trainload of coal for humanitarian aid? North Korea kept the train.

They simply can't be reasoned with.

[madokie]

7. Whats been happening hasn't worked so yes lets try something different

I feel the people have no choice in what boy wonder does so they shouldn't be punished for his evil deeds. IMO

[SpartanDem]

8. We tried that in the 90's

Clinton eased sanctions for halting their nuclear program and allowing UN inspectors. Only for it to come out in the early 2000's that didn't stop and they were lying the whole time.

[AngryAmish]

10. Best Korea is unique

They are a hereditary monarchy with extreme xenophobia. Honestly the population is mostly completely cut off from reality. They believe in magic. They are also profoundly racist in a way not seen in the west. The literally think that Koreans are the best people, smartest, uniquely capable of empathy. The rest of the world are essentially orcs.


Any concession is seen as weakness and proves that they can outwit the world.

I have no idea how to deal with them. Nobody does.

[Mr Dixon]

11. IMO

That is not the Cowboy way, diplomatic relations are you crazy? we are going to continue this madness until they agree to give us all the resources we want. I can't believe that you to want act like adults

[rugger1869]

12. What does the DPRK have....

That we would want in trade? People?

[Initech]

13. No profit for military industrial contractors that way.

[pampango]

14. Trade with a poor country. Watch it now! Who's side are you on?

Actually a good idea in principle, but it takes two to trade and I doubt that there's a second in this case, even if we changed our tactics.