Introduction
North Korea has been shrouded in mystery since its inception in 1945, and has become one of the most isolated and secretive countries in the world. It is recognized by the United Nations, but often excluded from regional affairs and major global events.
The extent of the country’s size and its population has been difficult to accurately determine due to the regime’s reticence to reveal information about their populace or territorial claims. North Korea’s relationship with its neighbors, suchas South Korea and the rest of the international community, is complex and highly-contested.
Geographical Size and Population
Physically, North Korea is a large country and encompasses an area of approximately 120,553 square kilometres, making it approximately the size of the U.K. or Pennsylvania. Geographically, North Korea is made up of or mountainous, high-level plateaus and valleys, formerly used as the country’s primary source of irrigation and water.)
It is bordered by China, Russia and South Korea, who together remain the country’s main sources of tourism and economic development. The population of North Korea is estimated to be around 25 million, with roughly 1/3 of them living in and near the capital city of Pyongyang. The majority of North Korea’s populace is comprised of ethnic Koreans.
Influence of the State
North Korea is an authoritarian State, and is perhaps best known for its draconian rule and extreme suspicion of foreign threats. International human rights organizations have alleged the country of a number of human rights abuses, including torture, forced labor, and mass executions. The State also restricts the freedom of its citizens, with severe consequences for those who are perceived to be dissidents.
North Korea’s ‘Stalinist’ ideology has had a major influence on its stance towards other nations and the international community. The State has traditionally been wary of outsiders and hostile to the notion of democracy and open political discourse. This has led to a number of diplomatic stand-offs with various governments, most notably South Korea.
Economic Development
North Korea ranks near the bottom of most global economic and development rankings, despite being a party to the UN’s International Human Rights Conventions. It is heavily reliant on limited natural resources and aid from China and South Korea. This has led to the majority of its citizens living in poverty and the lack of access to basic services such as healthcare, education and clean water, which has further exacerbated the humanitarian situation in the nation.
North Korea’s isolation from the rest of the world has had a negative effect on its economic development. The country also faces steep sanctions from numerous areas, including the United States, due to its nuclear program and refusal to comply with international regulations. This has led to a lack of much-needed capital and investment into the country.
Military Spending
North Korea has one of the largest standing armies in the world, and dedicates a significant portion of its national budget to its military. It is estimated that roughly a quarter of the nation’s GDP is spent on its military, with a high proportion of that going towards research and development of nuclear weapons and weapons technology.
The country has never signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and has continued to expand its nuclear capability despite multiple attempts from the UN and other nations to curb its activities. North Korea’s nuclear ambitions remain a major source of conflict between it and its neighbor South Korea.
Relationship with South Korea
The relationship between North and South Korea has recently become less hostile, though the two nations remain at odds over the issue of reunification. In 2018, North and South Korea agreed to end the Korean War, which had been in a technical stalemate since 1953. This inter-Korean agreement was a major diplomatic achievement and opened the door to further talks on peace and unity.
Since then, the two nations have met multiple times in various forms of dialogue and cooperation, and exchanged visits by high-ranking officials. However, the continued development of North Korea’s nuclear program and its refusal to denuclearize has been a major setback in the relationship, with tensions between the countries still present.
Diplomatic Relations with Other Nations
Aside from its often hostile relationship with South Korea, North Korea maintains diplomatic relations with a handful of nations. It has embassies in seven countries and is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement and other international organizations. North Korea is also part of a number of global trade partnerships, though these are often restricted due to sanctions from certain nations.
The nation has come under increasing scrutiny from the international community due to its nuclear ambitions and human rights abuses. North Korea has been strongly condemned by the United Nations for its continued use of chemical weapons, and the State has faced multiple instances of economic sanctions. Despite this, North Korea retains diplomatic relations with a number of states and has called for the normalization of relations with the United States.
Defiance of International Sanctions
North Korea has continually defied international efforts to curtail its nuclear development. Despite international outcry and increasing economic sanctions, the State has continued to blatantly disregard resolutions and treaties put forth by the United Nations and other international organizations. These actions have caused significant impetus to be placed on the State to put an end to its nuclear program and cease any forms of intimidation and retaliation against those in the region.
The United States has been vocal in its condemnation of North Korea’s activities and has led diplomatic efforts to put an end to the country’s nuclear ambitions. Past administrations and current President Biden have expressed a willingness to negotiate with North Korea, though the United States has remained steadfast in its refusal to drop all sanctions until North Korea ceases its nuclear activities and shows progress in improving the human rights situation in the country.
Conclusion
North Korea remains a highly-contested entity in the international community. Though the nation has made some strides in recent years, it still faces significant opposition from the global community due to its nuclear ambitions and its continued violations of human rights. It is hoped that the recent inter-Korean talks and negotiations with the United States will result in peace and development in the region.
