The Chinese government continues to support the North Korean regime. Some cracks have opened in North Korea, including some market activity (i.e., smuggling, black markets) since the famines of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Knowledge of the abuse of political prisoners in North Korea and other dictatorial regimes is widespread.

What could or should major world powers such as the United States and China do to address the mistreatment and abuse of political prisoners in other countries?

Specifically, how can the United States help to reform the political culture in those countries that arrest and abuse political prisoners?