My North Korea Solution

Why is it the public statements by our political leaders regarding North Korea only surround the nuclear weapon that they may or may not be able to launch beyond their borders? (As patently insane as Kim Jong Il is, I'm not sure why he would do such a thing.)

Thirty years of sanctions from the UN have had no effect on this madman--most likely because he still has a steady flow of Western fast food and pirated porn coming to him through Chinese channels. The only people suffering through this debacle are the North Korean people, and Obama's and the UN's statements make it seem that we have no concern for them--as long as their "dear leader" keeps his finger off the doomsday button. Here's what I would do. It may not solve the problem--but it couldn't be any worse than the current "plan".

(Disclaimer: This is not a "spiritual plan". It is merely what governments could do to solve the problem.):

Remove all sanctions: America should do everything in its power to open up the free flow of goods and information into North Korea--even it some of it falls into the wrong hands. Many North Koreans will begin to see that that the outside world is not the apocalyptic prison camp that the "dear leader" has been brainwashing them into thinking it is.

Incentivize defection: Offer a $1 million reward to every North Korean who makes it out of the country and to an American embassy. Sure, it's expensive, but it's cheaper than war. Remember, this is not about getting North Koreans out of the country, it is about demoralizing Kim Jong Il and empowering forces within the country who would like to unseat him.

Bait and switch: Offer Kim Jong Il a free, all-expenses-paid trip to Disneyland, where he will be toasted by Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez. Then, let him ride Space Mountain with Sean Penn. Stop the ride midcourse, arrest him and try him for crimes against humanity. While you're at it, arrest Kim Jong Il, too.