Background information
North Korea is a nation isolated from much of the world and has been for many years. The secretive regime of Kim Jong-Un, who is the current leader, is internationally associated with nuclear weapons, human rights abuses and the dictatorial rule of the Supreme Leader. The Hermit Kingdom, as North Korea has been dubbed, has spent the past 70 years in such a way that it has become the closest thing to an authoritarian monarchy the world has seen. Despite numerous attempts to engage with North Korea, the government in Pyongyang has made it increasingly difficult for the outside world to trust them.
International Sanctions
The United Nations has implemented several rounds of international sanctions which have crippled North Korea’s economy. Due to sanctions, North Korea has very little access to the international banking system and with immense poverty in the country, many of the nation’s citizens rely on the government for their day-to-day survival. This lack of economic freedom has made the North Korean government even more cautious of outside influence and has led to them becoming more and more entrenched with their way of life.
Military Aggression
The continual military aggression of the North Korean government has been one of the main reasons many nations find it hard to trust the regime. North Korea has repeatedly threatened to attack its neighbours in South Korea and Japan, as well as other nations seen as a threat to Kim Jong-Un’s rule. The government has also conducted a number of nuclear tests, which has led to them being seen as a global threat. This has led to many international organisations calling for the de-nuclearisation of North Korea and for the end to the nation’s military aggression.
Human Rights Abuses
North Korea is also frequently accused of human rights abuses. The government has a well-documented history of using torture and other cruel methods against its own citizens as well as those from other nations. Conditions in the nation’s prison camps are said to be extremely severe with reports detailing the mistreatment of prisoners and the lack of basic rights afforded to them. The North Korean government has also been accused of using the death penalty as an arbitrary measure to punish those believed to be enemies of the state.
Lack of Transparency
The lack of transparency in North Korea has been another reason why many countries remain wary of the nation. It is difficult to know what is truly going on inside the nation as only a few journalists are granted access to the country. The nation also has a tightly controlled media which is used to spread the government’s narrative. This makes it almost impossible to get unbiased, accurate information about the nation.
Relations With the US and South Korea
The relations between North Korea, the United States and South Korea have been incredibly difficult to maintain over the past few decades. Despite the US and South Korea’s efforts to engage with the North, the hermit nation has continued to be hostile and unresponsive. This has lead to the US preparing for a possible military confrontation with North Korea, further weakening the trust between the three nations.
Agreeable Talks?
In recent months, North Korea has made attempts to engage with the international community in what appears to be agreeable talks. In 2018, North Korea entered into a historic agreement with South Korea in which the two countries agreed to enter into talks to reduce tensions and look at ways of denuclearising the peninsula. North Korea has also recently opened up it’s borders to foreign investment, which appears to be a positive step in improving relations between the south and the north.
Analysis
Despite recent conciliatory messages from the North Korean government, it is difficult to trust the nation and their motives. Although the nation has made some positive steps to opening up to the rest of the world, their past track record of human rights abuses, military aggression and lack of transparency shows that the nation is still not ready to be trusted by the international community.
Support of China
China has been one of the few countries that have been willing to engage with North Korea, in an attempt to bring stability to the troubled region. As China is North Korea’s largest trading partner and one of the few countries who have diplomatic relations with the nation, they have been able to broker talks between the North and the rest of the world. China’s support of North Korea has been seen as an important factor in maintaining peace in the region, however many remain sceptical of the North’s intentions.
The Impact of Sanctions
The international sanctions imposed on North Korea have significantly reduced the nation’s access to the global economy. Sanctions have also limited the nation’s access to oil imports, which is essential for their military capabilities. Although the sanctions may have weakened the North Korean government, they have also put immense strain on the nation’s citizens, who are already amongst some of the poorest in the world.
International Aid
In recent years, North Korea has requested aid from the international community in order to alleviate the financial burden of the sanctions. Although the UN has granted aid to the North, the money has only been given with strict guidelines as to how it is to be used. As there is little transparency in North Korea, it is impossible to know if the money is being used to directly help its citizens or if the regime is simply taking advantage of the situation.
Chance of Peace?
Despite recent efforts to reduce tensions in the region, the possibility of a peaceful resolution between North Korea and its neighbours remains slim. Many of the nations in the area view the North as a direct threat to their long-term security and stability and until this is resolved, it is unlikely that the trust between North Korea and the international community will improve significantly.
Verdict on Trust
In conclusion, it is difficult to trust North Korea given their track record over the past 70 years. As the nation is politically isolated from the rest of the world, it is hard to determine their true motivations and intentions. The fact that the North Korean government refuses to abide by the international rules and regulations makes it even more difficult for the world to trust them. The nation has made some positive steps towards improving their relations with the rest of the world, however more needs to be done in order for them to be seen as a legitimate partner in the international community.
