News: No wine or iPods for North Korea

[Robin Garr]

Well, I guess <i>this</i> will teach 'em!

North Korea Will Be Denied IPods, Wine, U.S. Says
By Mark Drajem

Nov. 29 (Bloomberg) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Il may soon find it difficult to sample the hippest California pinot noir, upgrade his dinnerware or download musician Jay-Z's latest effort.

The U.S. said it wants to ban sales to North Korea of products ranging from wine to porcelain china to Apple Computer Inc.'s iPods as it implements a United Nations ban on luxury goods for that nation.

In a State Department list provided to the UN, the U.S. said it also wants to ban the export of liquor, yachts, flat-screen televisions, tobacco products and sporting goods to North Korea.

Full story in Bloomberg News

North Koreans are suffering famine, economic privation, and political oppression, and we are going to deny them IPods? This is so sad it is comical....

North Koreans are suffering famine, economic privation, and political oppression, and we are going to deny them IPods? This is so sad it is comical....

Actually the famine, poverty, and oppression are all pretty good reasons for targeting the sanctions on luxury goods. State money that could buy food for the masses is diverted to keep the powers-that-be (i.e. political and military leaders) in their luxurious lifestyle. I don't think the average North Korean can afford an IPod.

I don't think the average North Korean can afford an IPod

That is the point I was trying to make (obviously poorly) -- they can't even afford food, much less electronics.

Kim and his cronys are will known for their indulgent lifestyle while the rest of the country suffers. He's supposed to be a big burgundy fiend. I see nothing wrong with the ban. It'll be more symbolic than effective but will give Kim another hoop to go through to maintain his position.