i think you are right emma. this is why it is going to take a very long time to turn things around in those countries.
as for north korea, i meant to say that there is no "hope" for north korea. at least i dont see it.
It seems like a lost case but I believe its people will stand up against it some day. Personally I am very against any country invading another in the name of doing them a 'favour'. No one buys it. You should only help when you are asked for it by its people and not under any other circumstances. The intention is never that noble. On a personal or family level it's different. For example, if a family member is into drugs and destroying his/her life in the process, then the related family can intervene since there should not be any doubt in anyone's mind that the family has the best intention in it as it's still happening within the family. You can't deduct the same on a country level. In fact, there will be hardly any country that will risk its reputation or risk their own people putting them in danger by helping another country out. As I said, we are not that noble...yet.
I feel Pakistan is just as much lost and desperately need a major shift in consciousness. Only its people can do this but not sure when this realization will come or will it ever. It has now gone far too far.