Background Information On North Korea’s Geographical Position
North Korea is a sovereign state in East Asia located in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, bordered by China and Russia in the north and separated from South Korea by the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The country covers an area of circa 120,000 square kilometers, with its capital city Pyongyang being the largest.
The Closest State To North Korea
The closest state to North Korea is China; the two countries are separated by a 880 km long land border. Although China has historically been North Korea’s closest ally and its main economic partner, there is a significant asymmetry in the power balance between Beijing and Pyongyang. Beijing, for instance, holds a much more powerful stance in many areas, such as aid and diplomacy.
There is evidence to suggest that North Koreans receive preferential access to Chinese visas and are allowed to purchase cheaper staple foods in border towns. This is likely a demonstration of China’s influence in North Korea and its willingness to accept North Koreans into its own country.
The Economic Relationship Between The Two Nations
Although economic ties have waxed and waned over the years, China more recently emerged as North Korea’s go-to source of foreign exchange. China has become the primary source of North Korea’s energy, food, and investment, accounting for approximately 90% of North Korea’s total foreign trade. This has resulted in a close economic relationship between the two countries, with billions of dollars of Chinese currency being sent into North Korea in order to prop up its ailing economy.
The Chinese government has also recently eased restrictions on bank and non-bank transactions with North Korea under a “Special Economic Zone” program. This move has been viewed positively by many in the international economic community, as it will help to boost North Korea’s economy and open up new opportunities for both sides.
North Korea’s Political Relationships With Countries In Africa
The African continent is home to numerous countries that have strong ties to North Korea, primarily in the form of political, security and military relations. These countries have been supportive of North Korea’s nuclear program and have publicly supported Pyongyang in the past.
The most notable countries in this regard are Uganda, Zimbabwe, and Eritrea – all of which have been recipients of North Korean military and nuclear technology. North Korea has been particularly close to Zimbabwe in the past, providing it with nearly $100 million worth of military training and weaponry, as well as a nuclear reactor development.
The North Korean Domestic Situation
The domestic situation in North Korea is quite dire. Over the past decade, the country has experienced unprecedented levels of poverty and deprivation, with an estimated 70% of the population living at or below the poverty line. It is estimated that over two million people in the country are undernourished and malnourished, with the majority of these being children.
The government in Pyongyang is also notorious for its human rights abuses, with the world’s worst prison conditions and the use of political prisons and secret police forces to quell dissent. As a result, many North Koreans have been forced to flee the country, with an estimated 450,000 now living in South Korea.
The Impact Of International Pressure On North Korea
International pressure on North Korea has increased dramatically in recent years, primarily due to its nuclear weapons program. The UN Security Council adopted a series of tough sanctions aimed at strangling the North Korean economy, and it is estimated that the country is currently losing billions of dollars annually as a result of these sanctions.
The US has also taken a hardline stance on North Korea and has imposed its own set of additional sanctions and restrictions. These measures are designed to diplomatically isolate North Korea from the rest of the world and prevent it from using its nuclear weapons.
The North Korean Diaspora
The North Korean diaspora consists of individuals who have left the country in search of a better life. These individuals include defectors, refugees, and economic migrants. The majority of these individuals have fled to South Korea, China, and Southeast Asia in search of economic opportunity and freedom from oppressive government policies.
With their increased freedom, many of these individuals have found success in the business world as entrepreneurs, while others have sought to use their experiences to advocate for better treatment of North Koreans in the international community. The growing North Korean diaspora has allowed for more voices to be heard and has brought attention to the plight of those living in the country, which is ultimately beneficial for the betterment of North Korea’s future.
The Negative Effects Of Sanctions On North Korean Civilians
While sanctions are necessary to deter North Korean military aggression, they have a significant impact on North Korean civilians. The sanctions put in place by the US and the UN have led to a significant decline in the quality of life in North Korea, as the country has limited access to many food imports, medical care, and educational resources.
The consequences of these sanctions are particularly devastating for North Korean children, who face a much higher risk of malnourishment and disease due to the lack of basic necessities. It is estimated that over 60% of North Korean children are malnourished, with a corresponding rise in infant mortality rates.
The Effect Of International Pressure On North Korean Politics
The instability of the North Korean government has been exacerbated by the international pressure it has faced in recent times. This has resulted in a more hardline approach by the country’s leadership, which has been characterized by a focus on militarization and repression.
North Korea has also become increasingly isolationist, withdrawing from various international treaties and organizations in order to protect itself from external interference. This has had a detrimental effect on the country’s prospects for meaningful reform, and many experts have suggested that this may cause the international community to turn a blind eye to much of North Korea’s human rights abuses.
The Impact Of International Aid In North Korea
Several countries and organizations have extended aid and assistance to North Korea in an effort to help the country alleviate its economic and humanitarian crisis. Among these, China stands out as the most significant donor, providing the majority of North Korea’s food, fuel, and infrastructure aid.
The US has also provided significant humanitarian aid, totaling around $1.3 billion since 1995. This aid has been targeted primarily at improving health, nutrition, education, and social welfare in the country. Although this assistance has likely not been sufficient to address North Korea’s overarching issues, it has likely provided much-needed relief to countless citizens.
The Impact Of South Korea On North Korea’s Circumstances
South Korea is the only country that has actively sought to improve the lives of North Korean citizens through engagement. It has provided medical aid, humanitarian assistance, and inter-Korean exchanges in the arts and sports. In addition, South Korea has opened its own manufacturing factories in the North, employed thousands of North Korean workers, and provided economic incentives to South Korean investors.
South Korea has also gone beyond its own borders in order to attempt to foster a constructive relationship with North Korea. It has signed a number of diplomatic agreements and memoranda of understandings with a variety of countries in the region, such as Japan, the US, China, and Russia. These have laid the groundwork for more productive international dialogue and cooperation, which can ultimately lead to more positive outcomes for North Korea.
The Future Of North Korea-China Relationships
China is undoubtedly North Korea’s closest ally, and it is unlikely that this relationship will change anytime soon. Despite the tensions between the two countries, China will likely continue to provide North Korea with economic, military and diplomatic support in order to maintain its influence in the region.
It is also likely that China will continue to use its leverage over North Korea in order to push for further economic and social reforms in the country. This could potentially mean greater access to international aid, as well as a more open and tolerant North Korean government. However, whether or not these reforms are successful remains to be seen.
