The ‘Self-Reliance’ of North Korea’s Desperate Leaders

Reform incompatible with communist rule under Kim family

In this image made from video by North Korean broadcaster KRT, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks at the party congress in Pyongyang, North Korea, Saturday, May 7, 2016. North Korea will not use its nuclear weapons first unless its sovereignty is invaded, state media on Sunday, May 8, quoted Kim as saying during a critical ruling party congress. Kim also said he is ready to improve ties with "hostile" nations in a diplomatic overture in the face of international pressure over its recent nuclear test and long-range rocket launch. He called for more talks with rival South Korea to reduce misunderstanding and distrust between them and urged the United States to stay away from inter-Korean issues, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. (KRT via AP Video) NORTH KOREA OUT

Brandishing nuclear bombs and ballistic missiles, North Korea has topped news headlines for the last decade as it has menaced its more prosperous neighbors. Even its closest ally and benefactor, China, has begun to entertain military options as a means of resolving the crisis.

Unlike socialist states that either collapsed or enacted limited reforms, North Korea, under the quasi-dynastic rule of the Kim regime, has changed remarkably little in its nearly 70 years in power.