Certainly. I don’t mean to say that Zelenskyy’s time in office has been without controversy, even after his steadfast response to the war boosted (frankly, saved) his approval. The incident with NABU and SAPO, anti-corruption bodies in Ukraine whose independence was under threat back in July of this year, is a perfect example of this. I think, however, the fact that the government backed down on that in the wake of domestic protests and international backlash is a good indicator that Ukraine isn’t a dictatorship at the moment.

What a strange take this is. If you are trying to equivocate the two situations as a condemnation of Ukraine, I would note that sanctions are leveraging economic power, while conventional warfare leverages military power, and you obfuscate this difference by using the word “blockade”. It isn’t a blockade, it’s sanctions. Blockades involve military power, sanctions do not. Do I believe that the US is guilty of immense human suffering as a consequence of the usage of sanctions in international relations? Of course, and I’m equally aware of the diminishing returns of pulling such an economic lever, but between economic and military power, North Korea is under economic pressure, and Ukraine is under military pressure. Having a military government only makes sense as a solution in one of these two situations, and the situations are similarly not comparable.

If, however, I instead take you at face value, likely against my better judgement, and interpret your point instead to mean that it’s valid for North Korea not to have elections because they are also justified in martial law, then I am perhaps even more confused, because it sounds like you’re arguing for martial law because of sanctions endured by North Korea (if so, see above why this is not a justification for martial law). What confuses me, though, is why you would pick that justification in the first place. You could, for example, argue that because North Korea only has an armistice with South Korea, they technically remain still at war, and thus are reasonable for imposing a permanent state of martial law. My counterpoint would be that South Korea is, at this point, incredibly unlikely to invade for a variety of economic, political, and demographic reasons, and North Korea has already shielded itself against existential threat via nuclear weapons (their opponent’s capital is 40km from the border, Seoul can’t even get much warning, much less intercept the nukes). Regardless of sanctions, there isn’t actually that much reason that North Korea should still be devoting so many of its resources to its military, nor is there that much of a reason for martial law to still be in effect. 

I would also question if you genuinely think that any kind of meritocratic process occurred in a military sense when, rather than elect a leader (reflecting a peacetime footing), or have an experienced military officer take the role (reflecting a wartime footing), leadership instead passed down through three generations of the same family. Frankly, I don’t think martial law can justify that, regardless of whether or not martial law itself is justified.

Edit: Also, if you happen to have that study showing the 500,000 figure on hand, I would actually love to take a look at it. I wouldn’t be surprised, as often it is the civilian populace who bears the burden of sanctions, but it would be good to take a look at it to see if I can get a credible number to attach to that idea.

The Cuban embargo is pretty messed up and I agree it is wrong. I don't find your argument in support of North Korea at all compelling. USSR is mostly to blame for the entire situation.

Yes, the US is pretty damned murderous. Perhaps the nation that has killed the most innocents and caused the most widespread destruction ever and we are apparently not done. "Department of War" is a garbage move by garbage people who want to subject more people to death.

Comparing North Korea to Ukraine is nonsensical. The DPRK leadership is clinically insane and they will never give up their power even after their last civilian is dead.

I would personally love to see their country reform and join the modern world. I won't hold my breath waiting. Meanwhile it is the common person who gets punished for their inability to give up power.

I mean I like libertarians. I just don't consider libertarian capitalists to be libertarian. Libertarian Marxism is where it's at