SA on North Korea: Realpolitik trumps human rights, again and again

On Tuesday evening, when the United Nations voted to refer North Korea's leadership to the International Criminal Court – for having the worst human rights record in the world – South Africa chose to abstain. Before the vote itself, we had argued vehemently against the motion. This puts us in the uncomfortable but, as of recently, the all-too-familiar company of the likes China, Russia and Iran. So much for a principled foreign policy. By SIMON ALLISON.