North Korean Thaw ?

[Archnar]

North Korea.

First off let me start by saying I absolutly hate North Korea. Its a stalinist dictatorship under the name of Socialism. It gives people misconceptions about what Socialism and Communism is. I do however believe the situation in North Korea is improving. They were accepted into the UN in 1991 [1], internet is now allowed in a restricted form [2&3], they have opend up to tourism [4], they have a new leader in power ect. Its sort of like how Khrushev reformed the Soviet Union and brought freedoms after Stalin.I have a feeling the future for North Korea is improving.

What do you think? Is this the beggining of more rights and freedoms ? Or will the Stalinist Status quo be maintained ?

Sources/Links
[1]http://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/29/world/north-korea-reluctantly-seeks-un-seat.html
[2]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEVhqetUtDM
[3]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwangmyong_(network)
[4]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_North_Korea

[Anglynova]

I don't think this is the right forum, but it's interesting nonetheless.

I think comparatively North Korea has come a long way. The nation still operates dozens of prison camps, abuses its citizens civil liberties, brainwashes its citizens, focuses ridiculously on military while ignoring very basic citizen needs (like food), and is incredibly corrupt. The nation is also a loose cannon and poses a significant threat to the region.

With Kim Jong Il dead, I wonder how Kim Jong Un will lead the nation. I have my doubts that he will be in a position to change anything. I'd imagine the balance can't be tipped between members of the ruling party. Change almost has to come from the top or the international community. The people are probably too weak, too brainwashed, and incapable of launching a coup.

[Herskerstad]

I think that the power is going to be more decentralized, namely going into a few disgruntled armchair generals who would pay a lot less heed to factors such as 'Success probability' and 'survival' when it comes for their desire to some sort of vengeance. Sadly, I see such a command much like Imperial Japan had before the Marco Polo bridge, and I don't think it will end well for either party involved.

That being said, I do think the new leader making a first public speech promoting the same old story about some divine vengeance signifies two things. Firstly that he has one hardened general, chosen by Kim Yong Il, pretty much acting as a early loyal guardian against generals that might desire some more power for themselves. The new leader is hardly a seasoned politician or a strategist of any kind after all. Secondly, that if change is indeed in the making, which is still controversial, it will come slow.

[Farnhamia]

It would be nice if there were a change, but Kim Jong-un was just crowned the de facto King of North Korea. He's been brought up in the atmosphere of adulation that surrounded his grandfather and father. I am not optimistic about him doing anything different.

[Faberry States]

It would be nice if there were a change, but Kim Jong-un was just crowned the de facto King of North Korea. He's been brought up in the atmosphere of adulation that surrounded his grandfather and father. I am not optimistic about him doing anything different.

I think he had a semi-decent education so it depends on what actual control he has over the country. I mean he did inspect several industrial factories and farms during some official state visits and i'm guessing he has access to wikipedia or google so he must know that what North Korea has is pretty shitty.

[Farnhamia]

It would be nice if there were a change, but Kim Jong-un was just crowned the de facto King of North Korea. He's been brought up in the atmosphere of adulation that surrounded his grandfather and father. I am not optimistic about him doing anything different.

I think he had a semi-decent education so it depends on what actual control he has over the country. I mean he did inspect several industrial factories and farms during some official state visits and i'm guessing he has access to wikipedia or google so he must know that what North Korea has is pretty shitty.

Perhaps, we'll see. As long as the old men of his father's circle stay in power, I don't see much prospect for a thaw. It would be great, but like I said, I'm not optimistic.

[Faberry States]

I think he had a semi-decent education so it depends on what actual control he has over the country. I mean he did inspect several industrial factories and farms during some official state visits and i'm guessing he has access to wikipedia or google so he must know that what North Korea has is pretty shitty.

Perhaps, we'll see. As long as the old men of his father's circle stay in power, I don't see much prospect for a thaw. It would be great, but like I said, I'm not optimistic.

I'm never optimistic when it comes to a paranoid hermit state that is currently led by a mixture of military leaders that have either seen combat in the North Korean War or been bought up on propaganda from that war that think that because their new leader looks like their former glorious dead leader he will lead the nation into new found glory.

[West Failure]

How scary is North Korea in reality that we can't give a new leader a bit lee-way? There is more to lose by assuming he will be the same than by hoping for change.

[Faberry States]

How scary is North Korea in reality that we can't give a new leader a bit lee-way? There is more to lose by assuming he will be the same than by hoping for change.

Just hedge all bets that Switzerland made him into one of them.

[New Rogernomics]

Not going to happen, but if we are lucky he might not be as crazy as his father.

[Canada Remnants]

Sigh, I think he is a figurehead for the North Korean Army.