Geopolitical Climate
North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a sovereign state in East Asia, located in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. It is bordered by China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, South Korea to the south, and the Sea of Japan to the east. North Korea has been under the rule of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) since the late 1940s. As one of the most secretive and repressive countries in the world, North Korea has isolated itself from most of the international community. Because of this, it is difficult to determine what year is actually in North Korea, since the country does not follow a homogeneous system of measuring time as the rest of the world does.
In North Korea, the “Juche Calendar” is used, which begins on April 15, 1912. This was the day on which the country’s founder, Kim Il Sung, was born. The Juche calendar is made up of five years, which are arranged in a circle and divided into four periods of 15 days each. The last day of the fifth year marks the start of a new cycle. Each year is therefore named after one of the Five Pillars of Socialism: “Kim Il Sung’s Year,” “Kim Jong Il’s Year,” “Kim Jong Un’s Year,” “Socialist Principle Year,” and “Worker’s Party Year.”
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the state-run news agency of North Korea, has been known to provide information that suggests that the Juche Calendar is in use in North Korea. For example, on March 5, 2020, the KCNA reported that a new atomic energy research center had been established in North Korea to commemorate the 108th anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s birth. This indicates that the current year in North Korea is “Kim Il Sung’s Year,” according to the Juche Calendar.
Economic Impact
North Korea has been under severe economic sanctions from the United Nations (UN) since 2006, in an attempt to contain its nuclear weapons program. These sanctions have had a devastating economic impact on the country, and it is estimated that more than 10 million North Koreans are currently in need of food and medicine aid. The sanctions have had a particularly negative impact on the health sector, as many medical supplies, such as medicines and equipment, are now restricted.
It is not only the health sector that has been affected by the UN sanctions. North Korea’s economy has also been damaged, leading to food shortages and widespread poverty. This has had a serious impact on the country’s population, with a UN report from 2014 estimating that over 20% of the population is food insecure, meaning they do not have access to adequate nutrition.
The sanctions have also significantly limited North Korea’s international trade. With the restrictions in place, it has become more difficult and costly for North Korea to import and export goods. The crippling economic situation has caused a drop in the country’s GDP, making it increasingly difficult for the government to provide resources to its citizens.
Government Policies
The economic and political situation in North Korea has led to a number of policies being put in place to try and improve the country’s conditions and reduce the effects of the sanctions. One of the main policies is the introduction of the “Byungjin Path” in 2014. This is a policy of simultaneous development of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program and its economy. The government also relaxed restrictions on markets, allowing for a greater degree of private enterprise, although this is still tightly controlled by the state.
Other policies have been implemented to try and improve the economic and humanitarian situation in North Korea. These include the 2012 Currency Revaluation, which aimed to tackle the worst effects of inflation, and the 2015 “70-Day Campaign”, which called for workers to increase production to help alleviate the country’s economic troubles.
Public Opinion
Public opinion on the current state of affairs in North Korea is varied. There is a growing concern that the country’s economic and political situation is becoming untenable. Many experts argue that the current economic and political system in place is not sustainable in the long term, and that the country needs to implement reforms in order to open the economy further and reduce the number of international sanctions.
At the same time, there is a general understanding that it is not just the government’s policies that are responsible for the current state of affairs in North Korea. There needs to be a renewed effort from the international community to engage with North Korea and to support the country’s efforts to ease the economic and humanitarian crisis it faces. This can be done through providing aid and by continuing to support the North Korean people in their quest for peace and stability.
The Role Of China
An important factor to consider when discussing the political, economic and humanitarian situation in North Korea is China. China is North Korea’s closest ally and the two countries have a close relationship. China has been known to provide assistance to North Korea in various ways, including providing aid and economic support.
In recent years, China has also been involved in diplomatic efforts between North Korea and other countries. This includes the six-party talks between North Korea, South Korea, the United States, China, Japan, and Russia, which were held in order to try and resolve the North Korean nuclear issue. China’s involvement has been seen as critical in helping to de-escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Regional And International Tensions
The situation in North Korea has been subject to much international attention in recent years, due to the potential threat that North Korea’s nuclear program poses to the region and to the world. This has caused increased tensions between North Korea and its neighbors and has led to a number of international sanctions being imposed on the country.
Despite these sanctions, North Korea has continued to develop its nuclear and missile capabilities. This has caused further concern from countries in the region, such as South Korea and Japan, who fear that North Korea may use these weapons in a conflict. This has also caused concern from the United States, and the two countries have engaged in a series of military exercises, in an attempt to deter North Korea from taking any hostile action.
Conclusion
It is difficult to determine what year is in North Korea due to the country’s isolation from the rest of the world, and the fact that it follows its own system of measuring time. Its economic and humanitarian situation has been severely impacted by the UN sanctions, leading to food shortages and widespread poverty. The government has implemented policies to try and improve conditions, while at the same time, regional and international tensions have been increasing due to North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities. Ultimately, it is clear that the situation in North Korea is complex, and that any resolution to the current tensions will require a multi-faceted approach from all involved.
