The narrative is what keeps the regime in power there. Without complete control over the population, the power structure collapses. They are not the buffoons their made out to be in the West. They have held off the US Empire for 70 years.

Their armor (narrative) is cracking, as the black market grows there and not just the United States calls them out internationally. Full UN sanctions meant more as a signal than actual policy. Sanctions just hurt the people and build up the regime's control.

Tricky situation. But Trump's boasting is a change of pace in this theater and it is working better than the former guard.

I'm not fan of Trump, but putting eyes on North Korea and what goes on there is what helps those people get free.