Background Information
North Korea is a country located in East Asia, just north of its southern neighbor, South Korea. It is bordered by China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast and is separated from Japan by the Korean Strait. Also known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), North Korea is an isolated and heavily militarized nation that remains largely closed off to the rest of the world. With its nuclear capabilities, the nation has had a long-standing tension with the United States, and its other world powers. As such, one might wonder, ‘how many miles is it from North Korea to the United States?’.
Relevant Data
The exact distance from North Korea to the United States is difficult to calculate, because the two countries are separated by multiple bodies of water. According to the World Atlas, the most direct route between North Korea and the United States is by air, and it is approximately 7,070 miles, or 11,357 kilometers. If these two countries were connected over land, it would be about 1,500 miles between them. Unfortunately, this path is blocked by the Korean Peninsula, so the only way to get from North Korea to the United States is by air or sea.
Experts’ Perspectives
Experts agree that North Korea and the United States are separated by a large and precarious distance. National security specialist, Dr. Michael Hoffman notes that, “the distance is so great, it takes a long-range ballistic missile to travel between the two countries”. Meanwhile, former United Nations secretary-general and Nobel Peace Laureate, Kofi Annan observed that geo-political and socio-economic issues between the two nations, “over shadow the distance they are apart”.
Analysis & Insights
There is much more to consider when discussing the distance between North Korea and the United States than just the miles or kilometers. Political tensions have been a constant roadblock to having an open and healthy relationship between the two countries, making the distance of 7,070 miles increasingly hard to navigate. Additionally, the presence of multiple bodies of water between North Korea and the United States add yet another hurdle of energy and resources to facilitate travel.
Agreement among Nations
Amid the continuing tension and uncertain relationship between the United States and North Korea, both parties and other neighboring nations have continued to pledge their commitment to creating a peaceful and diplomatic relationship. In 2018, all countries involved in the Korean War signed a statement of intent and called for the establishment of a lasting peace regime on the Korean Peninsula. This was seen as a momentous step, but it is yet to be seen if this agreement will ameliorate the difficult relations between the two countries.
Effects of Distance on North Korea’s Relations with Other Nations
North Korea’s relationship with other countries has been heavily influenced by the distance from its nearest neighbor, the United States. The presence of large bodies of water between the two nations have limited diplomatic visits, with the United States solely relying on satellite imagery and technology to track and survey North Korea’s movements. Furthermore, North Korea’s location in East Asia has effectively limited the country’s ability to export or import goods, leaving it reliant on its political alliances with China, Russia, and other entities.
Limits of Technology & International Relations
Despite the advances in satellite imaging and communications technology, the sheer distance between North Korea and the United States continues to pose a challenge to the efficacy of international relations. The most recent ‘Hanoi Summit’ between United States President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un was seen by many as a momentous opportunity to advance the relationship between the two nations and the world. Unfortunately, the two leaders failed to reach any solidifying agreements, further highlighting the costly consequences that come with the distance between these two powers.
The Humanitarian Crisis
The international community continues to remain uncertain of North Korea’s wellbeing and position with the world in light of its nuclear capabilities and the country’s long-standing separation from its neighbors. An estimated 10 to 23 million North Koreans continue to face extreme poverty, lack of food and clean water, and a lack of medical treatment. Furthermore, even within North Korea, few citizens have access to interacting with the rest of the world, with much of the media heavily censored and restricted by the government. With these challenges, the real question is whether or not North Korea will continue to remain secluded, further alienating its people from the rest of the world.
International Sanctions
In light of North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear capabilities, the international community has had to take drastic measures to ensure that the country doesn’t become a threat. In 2006, the United Nations imposed numerous economic sanctions as part of their mission to disarm North Korea. The sanctions have limited the country’s development and its ability to interact economically with other nations while impairing its capability to maintain infrastructure and build its economy. Furthermore, the country has struggled to erase the stigma associated with the sanctions, typifying it as a country engaged in ‘rogue nation’ behavior.
