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> Not aiding them at least gives their people a chance to see what is really going on. That sounds nice but is exactly the opposite of what would happen; they'

> Not aiding them at least gives their people a chance to see what is really going on. That sounds nice but is exactly the opposite of what would happen; they'd likely be told the world has abandoned them, they can only rely on themselves, that sort of nationalist shout that would ultimately shift more power to Pyongyang. That's their game, and you'd be playing right into it. Not helping them would likely backfire and increase anti-w{orld,est} sentiment that many North Koreans already carry -- taught and nurtured by leadership -- and make the people more supportive of the regime.

John23832 10y ago
I highly doubt that when we give them food NK says "Hey look at how nice the Americans are" either. The people probably don't even know the food comes from us. It really is a damned if you do, damned if you don't, situation.
mejari 10y ago
Is there more power that could be shifted to Pyongyang? What power is there in NK that they don't already possess?
- jsmthrowaway 10y ago
  Defectors already tell us that not everybody is on board, they just shut up about it. Denying North Koreans food when they need it might convert those folks to regime supporters once it's used for propaganda value. That increases the regime's power. There's outright power, which is what you're talking about, and the people being behind you no matter what which is subtly different. If someone in the world starts favoring changing the regime, the people being behind the regime is insurance; it'd be way harder to accomplish those goals with the people in the fight.
  - John23832 10y ago
    Or denying food might be the last straw the spurs people to action against the regime. The fact is, we don't really know what will happen.
  - tehwebguy 10y ago
    NK does not need a true story for their propaganda machine
  - mejari 10y ago
    But what leverage does it give them to create propaganda if we deny them aid that they can't just falsify if we do give them aid?

John23832 10y ago

I highly doubt that when we give them food NK says "Hey look at how nice the Americans are" either. The people probably don't even know the food comes from us. It really is a damned if you do, damned if you don't, situation.

mejari 10y ago

Is there more power that could be shifted to Pyongyang? What power is there in NK that they don't already possess?

jsmthrowaway 10y ago
Defectors already tell us that not everybody is on board, they just shut up about it. Denying North Koreans food when they need it might convert those folks to regime supporters once it's used for propaganda value. That increases the regime's power. There's outright power, which is what you're talking about, and the people being behind you no matter what which is subtly different. If someone in the world starts favoring changing the regime, the people being behind the regime is insurance; it'd be way harder to accomplish those goals with the people in the fight.
- John23832 10y ago
  Or denying food might be the last straw the spurs people to action against the regime. The fact is, we don't really know what will happen.
- tehwebguy 10y ago
  NK does not need a true story for their propaganda machine
- mejari 10y ago
  But what leverage does it give them to create propaganda if we deny them aid that they can't just falsify if we do give them aid?