by Les Zsoldos

Created on: September 17, 2007

Despite all the technology we have today, natural disasters are as devastating as ever. It is often in difficult situations that people come together and help each other as much as possible. Ignoring the plight of wounded nations is not the answer to developing better cooperation and relations throughout the world.

Though many criticize the Korean regime of Kim Jong-Il, his people are not to blame for North Korea's lack of development and isolation. The fact is that most North Koreans probably do not realize how dire their situation is in relation to the rest of the world. The Kim Jong-Il regime truly seems to follow the belief that ignorance is bliss. As a result, many North Koreans only seem to know what their government wants them to know.

Even wealthy nations such as the United States are receptive to aid during a crisis. For example, after Hurricane Katrina, many countries came to the aid of the flood victims. Though many people may feel an intense dislike for the government of North Korea, that is no reason to deny the innocent victims of natural disaster much needed aid because they are not responsible for the faults of their government.

If the opposite were to occur and western nations decided not to help North Korea recover from natural disasters, it would certainly worsen relations between North Korea and the west. An even worse consequence would be that the North Korean people would undoubtedly suffer far more than necessary. Regardless of the government which is in power in a nation, the values of goodwill and compassion must always be foremost.

Maintaining good relations with North Korea, or at the very least, civil relations offers the best prospects for improving the political situation of that country. The alternative is not only bad relations with North Korea but a North Korean population who feel abandoned and rejected by the west. In such a poisoned atmosphere, it is difficult to see how any progress could be made in improving relations between North Korea and the western nations. If the lines of communication are closed, little to no progress can be made in improving the lives of the suffering people of North Korea.

Other reasons for western nations to send food aid to North Korea are to express genuine feelings of concern for the victims, optimize relations with the North Korean government in a crisis situation, and possibly plant the seeds for greater cooperation in the future. Also, if western nations send aid to North Korea to help the country recover from natural disasters, they may also play a role in helping to minimize the country's international isolation.

Ignoring the plight of North Korea in the event of a natural disaster does nothing to ease the country's international isolation. In fact, the results of such an action could further isolate the country. In order to help the victims of natural disasters as much as possible and improve relations with North Korea, it is absolutely imperative that western nations provide North Koreans with the assistance necessary to help them recover from natural disasters.

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