Geographical Distance
North Korea is located in East Asia, on the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. It borders China to the northwest and Russia to the northeast. Keeping that in mind, the vast majority of North Korea’s land is inaccessible to outsiders, with visas nearly impossible to get. This situation means that the distance to the United States is difficult to calculate, as the closest American city to Pyongyang is probably San Francisco, which is 6,700 miles away.
Geographically, North Korea is divided into nine provinces, with each containing its own unique level of development. The majority of the country is mountainous and only 20% of the land is suitable for settlements and farming. The country also has a land border with South Korea and faces the Sea of Japan.
According to experts, North Korea is both closer and farther to the United States than it may seem. Although the two countries are located in different hemispheres, the proximity between them isn’t as large as one may think. In terms of air miles, Pyongyang is just over 7,000 miles from Washington, D.C., however the shortest distance from North Korea to the US is the path that a cruise missile could take at just over 2,000 miles.
Furthermore, North Korea and the US both operate under two distinct governing bodies. Despite the fact that their last official meetings took place in 2018, the two sides maintain an ongoing dialog and continue to have diplomatic and economic ties. This proves that, while geographically apart, the two nations are much closer in terms of political and economic relations.
Political and Historical Relations
North Korea and the United States had a number of disagreements over the years, which led to a number of armed conflicts throughout the Korean War. This conflict resulted in the partition of the Korean Peninsula, as North Korea and South Korea were separated by the 38th parallel. This situation has resulted in two very different countries emerging over the years, with North Korea being a much more isolated and closed off nation than South Korea.
Overall, politics have remained the driving force behind the strained relationship between North Korea and the United States. In recent years, the two countries have engaged in negotiations and talks, however, the underlying issues remain unresolved. This shows just how much there is to untangle before the two nations can reach a consensus.
Moreover, the current leader of North Korea, Kim Jung Un, has been less willing than his predecessors to cooperate with the United States. No matter the situation, Kim Jong Un has made it apparent that he will not budge on nuclear weapons, further contributing to the stand-off atmosphere between the two nations.
Expert Perspectives
Experts point out that, despite the political and historical background between North Korea and the United States, there is still hope for the two sides to reach some sort of understanding. Many suggest that, even in a worst-case scenario, the two parties should be able to come to agreements regarding the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, not only for the benefit of both sides but for the greater global community.
In terms of the distance between North Korea and the United States, it is ultimately relative. It is shorter in terms of air miles than it is by land, however it is far greater in terms of their political and historical relationship. Beyond that, there is still hope that the two sides can make progress on important matters like denuclearization and economic sanctions.
Economic Sanctions
North Korea is currently facing a number of economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations, which have been in place for more than a decade. These sanctions are a direct result of North Korea’s refusal to halt its nuclear weapons program, meaning the country is unable to access international financial markets and is unable to trade with most countries.
These sanctions have only increased the financial burden on North Korea. In 2018, Kim Jong Un asked the United States to lift the sanctions in exchange for giving up their nuclear weapons – a deal that was quickly rejected by the US. This proposed deal only further solidified how little the two countries agree on, even when it comes to matters that could benefit both sides.
US Aid to North Korea
Despite the ongoing stand-off between North Korea and the US, the latter has been providing aid to the North Korean people for more than two decades. This aid mainly comes in the form of humanitarian assistance, as the US provides food and medical supplies to those in need.
The US hasn’t just restricted its aid to North Korea, however. The US has also made a point of supporting North Koreans who have fled their country and are now living in South Korea or overseas. The US has done this by supporting resettlement programs, as well as providing medical and psychological assistance to refugees.
North Korean Defectors
North Korean defectors have been on the rise in recent years, with the majority aiming to escape economic hardship and political persecution. Since its conception in 1948, North Korea has been one of the world’s most tightly controlled nations and its citizens are not even allowed to leave their own country without government approval.
As a result, many North Koreans have turned to the dark web or relied on human smugglers in order to escape the country. Others have been able to cross the border to neighboring countries in search of a better life. Sadly, many of these individuals do not survive the journey, with human and drug trafficking as well as starvation becoming a grave problem for those fleeing North Korea.
International Involvement
Given the situation, the international community has called upon North Korea to open its borders and treat its citizens fairly. In an effort to bring the two countries closer together, China, Japan and South Korea have taken steps to improve their diplomatic relations with North Korea.
In June 2018, North Korea, South Korea, China and the US held a historic summit in Singapore, as the four nations discussed ways in which they could improve their relations. However, not much has been done since then, with the same points of contention remaining between the two sides.
Economic Development in North Korea
The economic landscape of North Korea has been crumbling in recent years, with the country facing severe food shortages and a rapidly declining living standard. This is mainly the result of years of economic mismanagement, a lack of resources, and the country’s isolation from the global economy. These issues have all been compounded by the US-led economic sanctions, which has made it almost impossible for North Korea to obtain international aid.
As a result, there is growing demand for economic development within North Korea, as the country looks to improve the livelihoods of its citizens. This could involve providing more basic necessities, such as food and shelter, as well as investing in healthcare and education, as recent statistics show that North Korea ranks 61st out of 138 countries in terms of human development.
Opportunities for North Korea
Although the US has imposed economic sanctions on North Korea, there are still a number of opportunities that the country can take advantage of in order to improve its economic development. Many suggest that, despite the political divide between the two countries, North Korea and the US can still cooperate in areas such as energy and technology.
The US is one of the world’s leading technology producers, meaning North Korea could potentially benefit from the expertise and resources that the US offers. Furthermore, the US could provide financial and logistical assistance in helping North Korea to develop its infrastructure, which could in turn lead to an increase in economic growth.
Reforming the North Korean Regime
In order for real progress to be made in North Korea, it is essential that the regime changes its ways – something that will undoubtedly be difficult to do. Looking ahead, the regime needs to become more open to democratic reform and embrace more freedom and economic opportunity.
The regime could also look to emulate some of its neighboring countries, such as South Korea and China. These countries have seen remarkable economic success over the past decade, largely due to their open markets and focus on foreign investment. North Korea can look to these two countries as a form of guidance and inspiration as to how it can open up its economy and become an international player.
