Eric Talmadge North Korea Summary

Is there any way to truly know who’s making decisions in North Korea and what their ultimate motives might be? Eric Talmadge admits in his opening statements in his article for the Associated Press, that knowing the true goals of the North Korean regime is difficult at best, but then writes an analysis to explain his opinion to the minds of the Western world. It is Talmadge’s view that North Korea will never willingly abandon its goal of nuclear weapons regardless of any repercussions from its allies or the UN, because the ruling cadre sees it as the only path to survival and world recognition. While acknowledging the impossibility of truly knowing the inside thoughts and workings of the North Korean rulers, the author proceeds to explain expert interpretations based on a referenced and unnamed power behind the regime such as ruling families, and powerful military and weapons administrations.
The article outlines the ramifications of North Korea’s continued nuclear testing and defiance of the UN’s rules. Additional and stricter sanctions on an economy that’s already under duress, offending the most important trading partner and supporter, China, providing more ammunition for world adversaries in the United Nations who are pushing for harsher measures over violations of human rights. Talmadge lists …show more content…
However the world has changed and information leaks into all countries even those who closely control the internet. The article does not address the impact of dissidents, exiles, and others who constantly work to sneak information back into the population regarding the outside world. The concept that regimes change when the population decides to revolt is not discussed in the article. Nationalism and pride of sovereignty may not be as strong in the current culture as in times