The EU’s recent decision to provide food aid to North Korea has drawn a mixture of sentiment.  Defectors have voiced opposition in light of their own experiences, where food meant for average North Koreans has been intercepted by higher-ranking officials.  Conversely, other Pyongyang watchers have voiced their support for food aid[1]. In response to arguments that food aid is propping up the regime, Rudiger Frank in particular has argued that historically regime change has only occurred once a population has had its basic needs met.[2]Furthermore, Frank sees food aid as necessary in light of the fact