Posted by
arandomguy on Sunday, December 03, 2006 11:45:29 PM
This is an interesting story, because it reveals a new type of sanction, one that may be more effective than the general sanctions that the UN usually "enacts". The United States has banned the sale of luxury items to North Korea, specifically with the purpose of denying to Kim Jong Il and his ruling elite such luxury items as expensive wines, Plasma Screen TV's, Ipods, and other expensive electronic equipment.
This is because it is believed that the sanctions will personally upset Kim Jong Il and his ruling elite. If his ruling elite does not continue to be bribed, they will likely lose support for the dictator. While Kim Jong Il's elite isn't any better than he is, divide and conquer is a useful strategy in this case. The entire state of North Korea will be weaker (if it is at all possible) than it is now, especially when the high command starts feuding amongst itself.
I also think it is kind of amusing that we're enacting tough sanctions just to tick off one guy. The sanctions are undoubtedly worth it, and are extremely useful (on another note, why are we selling Ipods and Plasma TV's to North Korea anyway?), but just the thought that we're doing all this to make one man mad - it's kind of amusing.
The only problem, is that Ipods and Plasma TV's are relatively easy to come by on the black market, and so Kim Jong Il will only have to turn elsewhere to buy his goods. He can even use Ebay - though it seems kind of ironic for a communist to have an auction, doesn't it? - or just buy the goods from China. Even if he does this, the process by which he gets the goods will take longer, cost more, and may not end up being successful anyway.
It is definitely a creative approach to sanctions, and it will be interesting to follow them and see what develops. Obviously, the goal is to break up the North Korean government, so they do not persist to be such a danger to the world. Kim Jong Il controls a shaky alliance amongst the North Korean ruling elite - also ironic in a Communist society, one would think - and his failure to keep them happy could warrant their rebellion against his "leadership".