N. Korea at it again...make that still at it

(Credit to Mildred for finding this for me)

N. Korea is very likely involved in the trade of illegal drugs (among other criminal endeavors, like counterfeiting our money), according to a report from the State Department.

The International Narcotics Control and Strategy Report 2006 (INCSR) noted that North Koreans have been apprehended trafficking in narcotics and engaging in other illicit activities for decades.

Given developments during 2005 that linked the North Korean government to "other forms of state-directed criminality," the report says, the State Department reaffirmed its opinion that "it is likely, but not certain, that the North Korean government sponsors criminal activities, including narcotics production and trafficking, in order to earn foreign currency for the state and its leaders."

[...]Governments in the region have identified incoming narcotics as having originated in North Korea, the INCSR says.

In 2003, Australia's seizure of 125 kilograms of heroin from the Pong-Su, a cargo vessel owned by a North Korean state enterprise, raised the possibility of state trading in drugs by the North Korean government. The trial of the ship's senior officers began in January 2005 and should be completed in 2006.

The Japanese government believes a significant amount of methamphetamine smuggled into Japan is refined and/or produced in North Korea. "There were no seizures of methamphetamines in Japan during 2005 linked to North Korea," the report acknowledges. But in past years, it says, "30 per cent to 40 per cent of methamphetamine seizures in Japan" have been linked to North Korea.

Methamphetamine manufactured in North Korea now may be identified as Chinese-source, the report notes, because ethnic Chinese criminal elements are working with North Korea in narcotics production and distribution, abroad and within China.

Answer me this: did we ever find evidence of Iraq trading in illegal drugs and manufacturing counterfeit US bills? Did Iraq have nuclear weapons, which we are almost certain N. Korea has or will have soon? Did Iraq have any chemical or biological weapons, which we know N. Korea has? Did Iraq have "the world's fifth largest military"?

Since the answer to all of those is no, exactly why are we at war with Iraq and why is Bush not talking any more about the "Axis of Evil" including N. Korea?