US to North Korea: No iPods for You
In its continuing effort to rout out North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il, the United States government is now trying a new tactic: banning the sale of iPods and other high-tech items to the country.
Kim has an apparent sweet tooth for high-tech items, which he gives as gifts to families that support or run his communist government. It will be the first time that the US has used sanctions for the specific purpose of frustrating the leader, the Associated Press says.
While the gifts also include non-tech items such as cognac, cigarettes and expensive cars, the ban also includes high-end consumer electronics such as plasma televisions, Segway scooters, and even the ubiquitous iPod. The sanctions have the blessing of the United Nations.
Traditionally, sanctions are intended to block a rogue nation from obtaining military goods. However, world leaders and the United Nations, apparently running out of ideas to get the tyrant to agree to their terms, are trying to hit him in areas they have not previously.
Some close to the situation who have since defected say lavish gifts are one way that Kim uses to keep control of the impoverished nation. Most of these items are all but impossible for the common North Korean to obtain.
It's not clear if the ban would work, but some speculate that it could make it harder for Kim to keep his associates happy. With the latest round of talks between the North Koreans and the US failing, there's not much left for government officials to do, they say.
"It can't hurt, but whether it works, we don't know," former senior State Department official Robert Einhorn told the AP.