i read a story. a north korean high level officer was ordered to develop heavy manufacturing industry there in north korea in 90s. he said they couldnt offer cooperation to south korea, japan or china, and european countries are too far. so they asked taiwan companiese to cooperate "big business", when the companies had some political reason between the mainland china. north korea allowed one of the taiwanese to enter. but when the taiwanese visited there, he noticed that what the north korean officer talked was far from a business but a 100% aid which the taiwan side gave their capital to them for nothing. it was impossible to launch a factory because they could not even prepare any electric power by shortage of energy. the taiwanese complained about it. although he nearly got taken in by the north korean officer, the officer said to him "why", "you said you did" and please ship oil, coal or gas to north korea. the taiwanese felt he might be arrested as violation of commitment and felt freaky rather than angry in his hotel. it was in 90s.
