For a long time, there has been a tense relationship between North Korea and the US. The Communist dictatorship has always behaved aggressively against America, Japan, South Korea, and other countries. There have been practically no political changes in the Communist country. What has the North Korean government got with all this?
The answer is simple: Isolation, poverty, pain, and more.
The balance has been negative for one of the most closed countries in the world. A few days ago I talked with a South Korean about it; I asked him when do you think that the reunification will take place? His answer was: I hope that it never happens because North Korea is so poor that it will become a burden for South Korea.
South Korea is far more advanced than North Korea
We have seen famous brands like Samsung, Daewoo, LG, and more. This is no secret that South Korea has become a powerful economy. The ally of America manufactures cars, computers, ships, and more. This country is one of the main exporters in the world.
A big number of nations have their shopping centers full of South Korean products. On the other hand, where are the North Korean goods? Can we find them in the shopping centers or stores of our home countries? The US has been key for the development of South Korea, America opened the doors of its huge market.
The example of Japan and Germany
Japan was an enemy of the US in the past, but today the country of the Rising Sun is a partner of America. Japan fought in the World War II against the US. America detonated two nuclear bombs: Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The point is that the Japanese don't look at backward. After the war, the Japanese decided to invade America with cars and consumer electronics, not with soldiers.
This has been profitable for the Asian country because companies like Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and others have made billions by selling to the United States. We can say the same about Germany. This country forgot Nazism and decided to build a strong democracy and a thriving market economy. Germany is an advanced nation today, the economic engine of Europe.
No changes, no growth
China was an enemy of the US for a long time, mainly during the Mao Zedong years. There were strong ideological differences, but the relationships have improved a lot the last decades. They aren't perfect, but they are much better than in the past. Both countries have built strong economic ties. China exports a huge amount of goods to the rich American market.
China changed its economic policy a few decades ago. The exports were promoted, the free enterprise was respected, and the foreign investment was welcome. North Korea has to do the same if it wants to grow 8 percent per year.