US gov't keeps urging NK to act like Myanmar

WASHINGTON (Yonhap) -- Despite widespread skepticism that North Korea will follow the footsteps of Myanmar and veer towards democracy in the foreseeable future, the Barack Obama administration is continuing to send a message to an unresponsive Pyongyang.

Tom Donilon, national security adviser to U.S. President Barack Obama, again emphasized North Korea should look to Myanmar, also known as Burma, as an example of successfully breaking isolation and joining the international community.

"They are terribly isolated, and it would be an important example for North Koreans to look at as the potential path that they might travel down," he was quoted as saying Thursday at a forum hosted by the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

"They have a new leader, who has at least claimed publically that their priority is the economic well-being of his people," Donilon added, according to local media.

Myanmar has taken initial but crucial steps towards democracy after decades of dictatorships.

As an incentive, the U.S. has lifted many of the tough sanctions imposed on the nation.

Myanmar's change is viewed as one of the Obama government's diplomatic achievements.

Many agree that it would be far more difficult to lead North Korea to the path of change.

The communist nation has nuclear weapons. The state strictly controls media and other channels of information.

There is no sign of a popular movement in the North, let alone a figure like Aung San Suu Kyi.

A dilemma for the U.S. is that there is no better idea for now in dealing with North Korea than dangling carrots and waiting, observers say.

On a historic trip to Myanmar earlier this month, Obama delivered a clear message to Pyongyang that his government is willing to let bygones be bygones.

"To the leadership of North Korea, I have offered a choice: let go of your nuclear weapons and choose the path of peace and progress," he said. "If you do, you will find an extended hand from the United States of America."