Background
North Korea, officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), is an isolated, single-party state that is largely considered a rogue state, accused of human rights violations and heavily militarized. The nation was formed after the division of Korea at the end of World War II in 1945 and is bordered by China and Russia. North Korea has a land area of 120,540 square kilometers and a population of 25.6 million people. The leader of North Korea is Kim Jong-un.
Hong Kong is an autonomous territory in China that has its own government and currency. It is located in the southern coast of China and has a population of 7.4 million people. The city is a major trading port with a strong economy and a highly developed financial sector.
Distance
North Korea is located roughly 3,362 kilometers from Hong Kong. This is an approximate distance and could change depending on what route is taken. The fastest route between the two cities would involve traveling by plane, which would take around 5 hours and 40 minutes to complete. The estimated flight time does not include the time it would take for customs and immigration checks. The journey could also be completed by car or train, which would take approximately 5 days and 6 hours.
Reactions
As North Korea is a government that actively maintains complete control over its citizens, citizens of Hong Kong are wary of how far away North Korea is, as a reminder of possible military threats and disruptions.
Experts in international relations believe that the two countries will likely never become close politically speaking, as North Korea has a strained relationship with much of the world, while Hong Kong is a part of China, which has its own strained relationship with North Korea.
Economic Factors
The economic disparity between North Korea and Hong Kong is vast. North Korea is considered to be one of the poorest countries in the world, and its economy is heavily reliant on foreign aid from China and other countries. Meanwhile, Hong Kong is one of the wealthiest cities in Asia, with a thriving economy and a global trading hub.
The fact that North Korea is so far away from Hong Kong does not have a direct impact on the economy of Hong Kong, as the two countries do not have much economic interaction or ties.
Traveling
It is possible to travel from Hong Kong to North Korea, if one is willing to easily spend the time making the trip. However, there are many restrictions on visiting North Korea as a foreign tourist, and tourists are closely monitored and restricted in their activities while in the country.
Furthermore, it is difficult to obtain a visa for North Korea, and the process is also expensive.
Military Presence
The distance between Hong Kong and North Korea has a direct implication on the security situation in Hong Kong. North Korea has one of the largest and most powerful militaries in the world, and the fact that the two countries are so far apart means that there is not much of a threat of military conflict between them.
The North Korean military does have a presence in Hong Kong however, as there have been numerous instances in the past of North Korean agents being discovered operating in the city.
Rivalry
There is a long-standing competition between North Korea and South Korea, the rival state to the south of the peninsula. The two countries have had multiple conflicts in the past and the long-standing rivalry continues to this day.
North Korea views Hong Kong as part of its rival, South Korea, and this perception has resulted in North Korea taking a hostile attitude towards the city and its citizens. This can be seen in the frequent political rhetoric directed towards the city and its inhabitants.
Religious Ties
North Korea and Hong Kong have minimal religious ties. Christianity is the predominant religion in Hong Kong, while North Korea is a predominantly atheist state and does not allow the practice of religion.
Despite this, there are some Christian churches and organizations in North Korea, but these organizations are heavily monitored by the state and there have been reports of persecution of Christians in North Korea in the past.
Political Influence
North Korea has traditionally had very little influence in Hong Kong politically. The two countries are far removed geographically, and their political systems are completely different. In addition, North Korea’s isolationist policies make it difficult for it to build relationships with other countries and international organizations.
Despite this, North Korea has used Hong Kong in the past as a place to hide money and as a way to illegally move funds out of the country. This has been documented in a number of reports and investigations by international organizations and law enforcement agencies.
Social Factors
The two countries have very little social interaction between them. North Korea is largely hidden from the rest of the world, and citizens of North Korea are rarely able to travel outside of the country.
On the other hand, Hong Kong is a major hub for international travel, and citizens of Hong Kong have been known to travel to North Korea in the past, although there have been few reports of successful visits to North Korea from Hong Kong.
Cultural Exchange
Due to the political, religious and geographic barriers between North Korea and Hong Kong, very little cultural exchange takes place between the two countries.
The Hong Kong movie industry is a major source of influence on North Korean culture, as films from Hong Kong are popular in North Korea and are often seen as a source of entertainment. However, there has been no cultural exchange that goes the other way, as the North Korean culture and laws make it difficult for North Korean citizens to access foreign films and media.
Diplomatic Relations
North Korea and Hong Kong have had minimal diplomatic relations in the past. Hong Kong is a part of China and is under its control, while China has a notoriously strained relationship with North Korea.
This makes any sort of diplomatic exchange between North Korea and Hong Kong difficult, as China would have to be involved in any such exchange. There have been some meetings held between North Korean and Hong Kong representatives in the past, but these have always been done in the presence of Chinese officials.
Sanctions
As a result of its human rights abuses and its nuclear program, North Korea has been placed under a large number of international sanctions imposed by the United Nations. These sanctions have had a negative effect on the North Korean economy and its citizens, and have had the unintended consequence of creating a social rift between North Korea and Hong Kong.
The sanctions have resulted in goods from North Korea being blocked from entering the Hong Kong market and have resulted in financial institutions in Hong Kong blocking any financial transfers from North Korea. This has created an environment of mistrust between the two countries, as well as a lack of trust between North Koreans and Hong Kongers.
