I understand that North Korea is "different". However I suspect North Korea might suddenly implode just like the Soviet Union when its top leadership tries to do some sort of social repair (probably in the name of "national security"). I hope South Korea and the U.S. are broadcasting television and radio into North Korea. It's important the North Koreans know they're in the toilet.

Yes, you are right, they are different. Most accounts of North Koreans that I read (I am only speaking of open source material here.) the north koreans are in some sort of dillusional state of mind, and they have to look death straight in the eye to ever shake it.

Many honestly do think they have it better than the rest of the world.

Broadcasting television/radio signals does no good. It is openly known that North korean restrict the tuners on its radios to play only government stations, and violating that is a trip to a gulag:

(the best link i found, good read)
http://www.freenorthkorea.net/archives/freenorthkorea/000498.html

As cold hearted as it sounds, the only way to eliminate the North Korean Regime would be to starve it more and not let up. However the changing political dynamics in South Korea aren't going that way. Despite the optimistic outlook of the aritcle, which is making observation based on the after effects of the recent famines, South Korea is increasing aid and cooperation with North Korea, improving its strength. The effect that this articlehas seen will start to be countered and things will go back to normal. The net effect in my opinion is that it will serve to give the government a second wind.

No doubt the pleas for international aid double as a rouse to restock its military. Earlier today the korean herald pubished what North korea was asking for in aid:

-first aid kits
-tents
-water purification tablets

http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2004/04/27/200404270002.asp - this was here but they editied it since earlier today and that line is no longer there(see my rant against South Korean media on the previous page).

Of course providing help for thousands of injured and equiping military units involve similar things, but why then if this were really intended for injured do they not asked for the bulk medical supplies and specific ointments?

Or even if they used all of it on the caualties, they would still send whats left over to the military, and there nothing that can be done about that.

Regards,
Justin