The same goes for firearms. The moment they can defend themselves is the moment they take the food and resources for themselves. Having your population near starvation and defenseless is the main method used to maintain power as an oppressive fascist regime.

I don't think so. Lots of people assume the North Koreans have the same sort of aspirations as westerners do. While they are of course massively indoctrinated and propagandized, don't underestimate the possibility of a fortress nation building a social identity around standing up to all the bigger countries that threaten it. Many such societies have existed in history.

You would be saying the same thing about China 30 years ago.

It's completely wrong in my opinion. Massive failure of cultural projecting by westerners to actually believe this.

Many people just want to be well fed and have safety for their small circles, they truly don't give a shit about politics. What's the US federal election turnouts again :) ?

The article talks about laundering, which is cashing it out.