Is the North Korean Regime on It's 'Last Legs'?

Some South Korean officials, including Chun Young-woo, the presidential secretary for foreign affairs and national security, believe that we may be hearing the death rattle of the dictators in Pyongyang. We may see “a short cut to its demise.” For the sake of the North Korean people, let’s hope they are right. South Korea’s Chosun runs the economic numbers on North Korea and they don’t look good. When it comes to food:

“North Korea’s domestic economy is a mess. Grain production this year is estimated to reach 3.8-3.9 million tons, which is 200,000-300,000 tons less than last year, the Institute for National Security and Strategy under the National Intelligence Service said. The food situation in the North is directly linked to public support for the regime. During the spring lean season last year, the North nearly coped with the food shortage by diverting rice from military storage, which according to a senior government official may not be feasible this year.

In addition, the North Korean regime is strained by leader Kim Jong-il’s ill health and the spread of waves of capitalism through South Korean drama. ‘Even if it won’t collapse right away, the North may face a situation where it may have to agree to the South’s demands in inter-Korean dialogue,’ said a government source.”