North Korea – the mysterious country whose citizens and government alike tend to stay tucked away within its own confines – is a bit of a hard one to locate on the map.
Perched on the northern half of the Korean peninsula, North Korea is cradled between China to the west and Russia to the north and east. As a result, North Korea’s closest neighbor to the south is South Korea, and its closest western neighbor is China – at least 3,000 miles away.
Traditionally a nation of isolation, the United States, geographically, is not even close to North Korea. As of July 2017, according to Google Maps, the distance from Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital, to Washington, D.C., was 8,256 miles.
Additionally, considering the distance between the two countries, an average of about 97 minutes is required for communication when it comes to air-launched ballistic missiles. Equally important to consider is the fact that the flight from the United States to North Korea takes about 17 hours.
However, though both North Korea and the United States are thousands of miles apart, the countries often interact politically. North Korea has had a tense relationship with the United States since its inception, and the two countries have had several conflicts over the years. Due to its stance on international affairs, North Korea has become isolated and as a result has become a huge security risk to the United States.
According to experts, this interference of North Korea poses a great risk to the United States due to its need in the past to enforce sanctions and financial restrictions, the risk of nuclear escalation, and the unpredictable nature of the North Korean leadership. Even though the two countries are distant from each other, the United States and North Korea have found themselves in numerous heated exchanges in recent years.
Meanwhile, the United States has employed a number of diplomatic and economic means to limit activity within North Korea. For example, the United Nations Security Council imposed several economic and technology sanctions on North Korea in response to its nuclear tests and missile launches. This is seen by many as a direct result of the conflict that the two nations find themselves in due to the physical and emotional distance between the two countries.
Relationship Status
The United States and North Korea have yet to enter a formal diplomatic relationship, though both countries are striving to improve their security and diplomatic ties with one another.
Recently, high-level talks have been held between the U.S. and North Korea in attempts to normalize the relationship between the two countries. In 2018, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo travelled to Pyongyang and helped organize a second summit between the United States and North Korea in sub-committee talks.
These negotiations have yet to bear fruit; however, this is a positive step toward peace between the two nations. Even with the two nations being almost 8,500 miles away from one another, both sides are working together to attempt to reach a diplomatic solution.
The Digital Divide
In terms of digital access and infrastructure, North Korea is significantly behind the United States. Though Internet access is available, the infrastructure and access to technology is limited – the country doesn’t have its own domain name, for instance. Additionally, the challenges for citizens to access the Internet are complex and there are various government restrictions in place.
The Great Firewall of North Korea is believed to be the most advanced digital censorship system in the world; it uses deep packet inspection (DPI) to detect and block information traveling over both North Korean networks and international networks.
Additionally, North Korea has been one of the most oppressive regimes in the world, with citizens facing harsh punishments if they access unauthorized materials. Because of this digital divide and the restrictions placed on North Korea’s citizens, it is unlikely that the US will be able to directly connect with North Korean citizens, given the great physical and digital distance between the two countries.
The Bottom Line
Though there are various diplomatic tensions between the United States and North Korea, the two countries are almost 8,500 miles away from one another. This physical distance greatly impedes the two countries from connecting on a personal or economic level. Additionally, North Korea has been one of the most oppressive regimes in the world, with citizens facing harsh punishments if they access unauthorized materials.
But, despite the physical and digital divide, both sides are working together to attempt to reach a diplomatic solution. Only time will tell if this will be successful. However, the physical distance between the two countries will always remain, and will be an obstacle for any future diplomatic summit.
Technology & Trade
The technology and trade industry in North Korea is underdeveloped, compared to the United States. Most North Koreans do not own personal computers or mobile phones, and Internet access is limited to a select few. As a result, the majority of North Koreans lack access to the same technology that many in the United States take for granted.
In terms of trade, North Korea’s officially reported exports total around US$3 billion with imports at US$3.5 billion. This shows the country is still very reliant on imports and is not a major global trade partner like the United States. The North Korean economy is not in great shape and relies heavily on aid from other nations and illegal activities such as counterfeiting, drugs and arms trading.
The lack of technology, paired with the small size of the North Korean economy, shows just how different North Korea is from the United States. North Koreans lack access to both basic and advanced technology, while the US is one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world.
Social & Political Conditions
North Korea is distinct from the United States in terms of social and political conditions as well. Kim Jong Un has been in power since 2011 and the authoritarian government has been known for its human rights abuses and oppressive political climate.
This is in stark contrast to the United States’ democratic government, which allows for citizens to express themselves and vote for their leaders. Additionally, freedom of speech is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution and freedoms of religion, press and assembly are protected as well.
The political and social landscape in both North Korea and the United States is extremely different. North Koreans live under an authoritarian regime, while Americans enjoy the freedoms of democracy. North Koreans are not granted the same freedoms as American citizens, nor the same access to technology.
Conclusion
North Korea is an isolated nation, situated almost 8,500 miles away from the United States. This physical and digital divide between the two countries puts them in a difficult position for meaningful connection. Moreover, there are significant differences in terms of the way citizens are treated, access to technology, and trade opportunities.
Though progress has been made in the diplomatic arena, the US and North Korea are far from developing a solid relationship. The physical distance between the two countries, paired with the digital and political divide, acts as an anchor to any meaningful connections. The only way to bridge the gap is through negotiating, diplomacy and patient conversations.
