North Korea's Religious Nature
David Pilling, Financial Times | March 13, 2009
Mike Chinoy says that North Korea should be seen as a “religious camp grafted on to a very conservative, inward-looking society steeped in Confucian tradition, where the purpose of life is to glorify the reigning deity.” ++ Seeing North Korea as Confucian cult, not communist state, may shed some light on its actions. ++ Kim Jong-il appears to want weapons for self preservation and to ensure the retention of power. ++ They can also be sold for much needed foreign currency. ++ North Korea needs to be convinced that it should hand these weapons in.
