by Ian Steinman

Created on: September 22, 2007   Last Updated: January 19, 2008

In every home (At least every home with power) in the so called "Peoples Democratic Republic" you can witness for yourself the most Orwellian spectacle of the Modern World. A radio, one which blares Communist propaganda and which though it can be turned down can never be turned off. This is just one example of the underlying fact that the State of North Korea is a living depiction of the horrors of Totalitarianism. While Party officials and bureaucrats remain well fed, and while a massive army stands poised to inflict unspeakable destruction upon the North's southern neighbor, the people starve. They are lost, in a state of living hell which is guarded and enforced by the very Government that is supposed to be looking towards their interests. Forced labor camps, executions, a constant state of fear and terror combined with a religious Cult of Personality all designed to strip the people of their very humanity can be plainly seen.

Yet some will argue that the West must do whatever it can to help alleviate this suffering, that doing good to try and help the people will outweigh the cost of support for this regime. However when it is the regime itself that is the cause of so much suffering, and when everything sent to aid the people is used as a tool by the government to strengthen their rule, you are only contributing to the nightmare. If the West aids this rogue regime, the west helps to solidify it, to provide it legitimacy and empower it and in so doing to prolong the nightmare. So long as the Communist Regime is in control the people will suffer, and any effort to aid the people will be outweighed by the extension of this state enforced nightmare.
It is when the elites of North Korea see their existence at stake, as they can no longer maintain their rule as it is, they will be forced to change. When they are forced to change, to change for the better and put an end to their state sponsored terror, then you will have more good done for North Korea's people then all the food and medical aid you could hand over to Government officials.

Learn more about this author, Ian Steinman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.