On 6 May 2009, the U.S. Government approved the release of a classified 1991 memorandum written for the National Security Council. Its title was “North Korea: Likely Response to Economic Sanctions.” This secret memorandum predicted “severe hardships” for the country’s population if a trade embargo was enforced, particularly if oil was restricted:

“A trade embargo—if fully respected and enforced—would cause a significant falloff in production and impose severe hardships on the North Korean populace. A curtailment of crude oil shipments would be particularly troublesome and would lead to industrial shutdowns, restricted transportation, and reduced agriculture and