[LETTERS to the editor]Bad advice for Kim Jong-il

I would like to comment on, “North Korea’s strategy risks sanctions” (Dec. 8). The one flaw to this otherwise excellent editorial is that it is too logical.
While Pyongyang maintains what may seem to outsiders as largely uncontested political control of its citizens, the ruling oligarchy is nonetheless fighting for its existence with no viable long-term strategy in sight other than possibly becoming a puppet state of China ― an unlikely and obviously distasteful option.
This editorial failed to take into full consideration the needs of a highly cynical and desperate regime. If the Pyongyang government was to comply with the logic of this recommendation, it would almost certainly find itself disintegrating given the expected cascade of following events ― and Kim Jong-il is no fool.

by Tom Coyner