I think the north Koreans see that any state opposing a major force in recent history got pushed over and trampled upon for oil and various reasons. Well except for Pakistan. Pakistan is a ally. Does not even have to export oil to be one. Okay, it has al quaida hide outs - but it is a really good friend. Loyal, as long as the bri- the budget doesn't run out. Totally different from afghanistan.

Another great country, that totally does not get pushed around comes to mind. Israel. Surrounded by enemys, with some really nasty wars in its recent history- that suddenly stopped.

Or India, dear god, that country was fractured and ripe for the taking- and yet, suddenly its independence is well respected- just like it is by all those companies and foreign powers in africa.

I wonder why.(not)

Delusional Intentions do not equal good outcomes, just because they timewise correlated.