Things are getting worse and worse for the tiny rogue state of North Korea. More sanctions are making it harder for people (as in the non-elites) to live and a recent halt on banks transferring funds into the country may mean a massive decrease in aid overall. They’re going through the normal cycle of nuclear testing, empty threats and begging for help and only China seems there to make sure the country doesn't implode due to consistently bad management. So, as per the usual routine, the DPRK is visiting China and “agreeing” to listen to them about more nuclear talks.
A North Korean envoy recently visited China to give them the word - the DPRK is ready to head their advice. They will indeed engage in more six-party talks to discuss their nuclear program. China, in response, it sticking to their usual recommendations and telling their neighbor that they need to concentrate on their economy, not their military, moving out of the stagnant communist model and into something more like China.
Being as how China is one of the only things currently keeping the DPRK afloat, it might be time for the big-wigs in the country to start seriously thinking about taking this advice. This rings true even more given recent events and the fact that China is beginning to side with the West as far as policy on North Korea goes. This shift of allegiance should be sending the DPRK into a panic and making them realize that their old habits are growing old and generating more animosity than anything else.
So it looks like North Korea may come to the talking table once more. Of course, the last time there were talks, way back in 2008, the North Korean delegation ended up walking out and truly, it’s unlikely that they’ll accept whatever the U.S. and its allies propose. The western faction will not relent on the nuclear question and the DPRK won’t either, so the end result will be a stand-off at best. And with the potential loss of their only large ally, the country could very soon find itself in a violent collapse. Or we could all wake up in six months and find out that everything is exactly the same as it has been for decades.
North Korean envoy photo courtesy of politico.com
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