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U.S. to Enforce iPod Sanctions Against North Korea?

The United States government is reportedly planning to ban exporting certain luxury items like iPods, Segway scooters, and plasma televisions to North Korea, the AP reports. The move is one to gain the attention of Kim Jong II, the country’s leader and engineer of a secret nuclear weapons program. Jong oversees one of the world’s most impoverished countries yet he’s infamous for appreciating high-end products. “While North Korea’s people starve and suffer, there is simply no excuse for the regime to be splurging on cognac and cigars,” Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez said in a statement. Jong could have a hard time finding goods like cognac, Rolex watches, cigarettes, artwork, and jet skis, too.

Tech-insiders on gadget blog Gizmodo are weighing in on the news. Here’s what they’re saying:

“Based on seeing how people react to having their new iPod Nano get a bit scratched up, or finding a couple of dead pixels on their nice new plasma/LCD television, this is SURE to get us nuked.” — db2

“Pretty pointless gesture, only Kim could purchase the items. Everyone else in the country would be trying to recharge their ipods by plugging into the nearest tree.” — ltcmurray

“Most of the technological crap we use is made up in Asia as it is, and I don’t think it would be too hard to get some underground shipments in.” — GFX-187

“Good idea, piss off the crazy guy with all the nukes?!” — xshortx

“Ironically, considering the freaken’ White House isn’t leaking the identity of CIA operatives working the iPod non-proliferation desk, this has a chance of actually working.” — trai_dep

Talk: Do you think these sanctions will have any affect on Kim Jong II and his policies? COMMENT