Former President Carter’s recent trip to North Korea, and resultant call for a resumption of humanitarian (mainly food) aid to the North, once again brings attention to the controversial issue of sending aid to North Korea. Many people disagree strongly on this one, some blaming aid provision for prolonging the rule of the Kim clan, with resultant additional suffering of the populace, others blame a failure to provide aid for the sickness and death of untold numbers of North Koreans.
Aside from food aid, what about medical aid? Further, what if disease outbreaks in the North sicken people in the South? Should the South provide aid if it protects Southerners? What if those affected include not only South Korean civilians, but also South Korean and U.S. troops stationed near the border? How would that change the debate?
Continue reading Aid for North Korea – No Longer Just for Bleeding Hearts?