BI-Signficant Regional pressure being levied on DPRK

China, Australia, Japan, and South Korea have all put significant economic pressure on the DPRK country, and the North Korean people via use of economic sanctions.

China has begun inspecting Cargo shipments headed for North Korea, which is a significant action by a country which has supported North Korean policy and government. The effect of this specific action will be slowdown in trade (specifically shipment speed) with North Korea, and thus could harm the DPRK economy.

Australia banned North Korean ships from their ports. This action severly hinders economic trade with the DPRK, and will directly harm North Korean people whose jobs are in support of Australian trade.

Japan recently banned North Korea ships from entering Japanese port and completely banned trade with the North. This is a major blow to the DPRK economy, as Japan represented $225.62 million worth of exports in 2001.

South Korea stopped shipment of food aid to North Korea, with reported food levels at a third of the level at this point in 2005.

In total these regional actions by former DPRK trading partners will stifle the DPRK economy.

Analytic Confidence: 8.5

Sources:
http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2006/10/16/china_inspects_north_korean_cargo/
http://www.parapundit.com/archives/001054.html