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What I've heard is that the sanctions against North Korea a (now pointless) attempt at nuclear non-proliferation (and of course because they have a communist go

by elil17 4y ago

What I've heard is that the sanctions against North Korea a (now pointless) attempt at nuclear non-proliferation (and of course because they have a communist government) - do you think that's the case or is there another reason?

jmyeet 4y ago
It's... complicated. First, it should be noted that the Kim regime is awful. There's really no question about that. Yes, nuclear non-proliferation was part of this, as were other so-called "weapons of mass destruction". But the really unfortunate part of the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the toppling of Saddam Hussein (another former US ally I might add; this time against Iran) taught the world that the only thing that will protect you from US invasion is nuclear weapons. People said this at the time. So while Kim Jong-un (and his predecessors) are awful. Can you really blame them for seeking nuclear weapons (and other WMDs) out of self-preservation? Sanctions effectively allow China and Russia to control North Korea by deciding what trade North Korea can engage in. Both countries like this because they like having a buffer state with the US. South Korea is seen as a US client state. There is a large US military presence there so that's not completely unjustified. Again, we didn't learn this lesson with Ukraine but I digress. Sanctions allow the regime to unite the people against a common enemy. Problems like starvation and poverty are blamed on this bogeyman. That propaganda is highly effective. My personal view is you could probably restrict key military technologies from being traded with North Korea and the country could then be large ignored. This would probably have to be coupled with removing US forces from South Korea. Much like Ukraine, we could simply arm the South Koreans to defend themselves.
- reducesuffering 4y ago
  Remember, North and South Korea is an eventual reunification. If you allow North Korea to have nuclear weapons, and remove US forces from South Korea, North Korea will threaten nukes on the South and the rest of the world for interfering in what they deem their sovereignty over all of Korea.

by elil17 4y ago

jmyeet 4y ago

It's... complicated. First, it should be noted that the Kim regime is awful. There's really no question about that. Yes, nuclear non-proliferation was part of this, as were other so-called "weapons of mass destruction". But the really unfortunate part of the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the toppling of Saddam Hussein (another former US ally I might add; this time against Iran) taught the world that the only thing that will protect you from US invasion is nuclear weapons. People said this at the time. So while Kim Jong-un (and his predecessors) are awful. Can you really blame them for seeking nuclear weapons (and other WMDs) out of self-preservation? Sanctions effectively allow China and Russia to control North Korea by deciding what trade North Korea can engage in. Both countries like this because they like having a buffer state with the US. South Korea is seen as a US client state. There is a large US military presence there so that's not completely unjustified. Again, we didn't learn this lesson with Ukraine but I digress. Sanctions allow the regime to unite the people against a common enemy. Problems like starvation and poverty are blamed on this bogeyman. That propaganda is highly effective. My personal view is you could probably restrict key military technologies from being traded with North Korea and the country could then be large ignored. This would probably have to be coupled with removing US forces from South Korea. Much like Ukraine, we could simply arm the South Koreans to defend themselves.

reducesuffering 4y ago
Remember, North and South Korea is an eventual reunification. If you allow North Korea to have nuclear weapons, and remove US forces from South Korea, North Korea will threaten nukes on the South and the rest of the world for interfering in what they deem their sovereignty over all of Korea.