“For a dictatorship, freedom of thought, trade, and travel is a dangerous path. People will have more ownership of their own future. Most of all, as their expectations rise, North Koreans could lose their fear and follow South Korea in its popular protests to remove leaders.”
My guess is that the Chinese have explained to Kim how he can take advantage of capitalistic economic opportunities, give his people some small measure of increased prosperity, and still maintain an iron grip on power.
They also probably explained that as long as you look like you are open to “reform”, and let Western corporations make deals with you that are very profitable, the West seems to completely overlook any human rights abuses you are committing.
If we had met with Hitler on the verge of World War II do you think we would have bought up the prison camps or been too busy trying to forestall another great war?
I think the Korean Chaebols will control the dealing.
For American and Japaneese corporations to deal, they must ally with the Korean banks and mega corporations. There will be no Europeans allowed.
Where is your ie/BT after your posting?
Brilliant. So well put and sadly so true.