Introduction
North Korea has been an oppressive communist regime for over 70 years, with no signs of a change for the better in the near future. The country is one of the world’s last remaining dictatorships, and has been subject to the rule of the Kim dynasty since the division of the Korean peninsula in 1945. The North Korean people have longed for freedom and democracy, but been met with blatant disregard or even oppression by their leadership. This article will explore the potential possibilities of freedom and democracy in North Korea, and looks to discuss when and how the country could move towards these ideals.
Background
North Korea has been an oppressive state for many years, characterised by a lack of free speech, free press, personal freedoms, and basic human rights. The country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, is considered to be a cruel dictator and there is a constant threat of nuclear war. The poverty level in North Korea is high and its citizens have little or no access to certain basic necessities, or even the outside world. While initial attempts at reform in the 1990s proved optimist, no subsequent attempts have had meaningful results.
Relevant Data
In 2020, the Human Rights Watch released its annual assessment of the state of North Korea. In the report, the authors noted that “the North Korean government continues to be one of the most ruthless and oppressive governments in the world, as evidenced by its policies of arbitrary arrests, indefinite arbitrary detention, torture, and collective punishment.” The group also noted that the chance of internal change in North Korea is “small but not completely out of reach”. This indicates that it is possible for the North Korean people to experience change, but it will take considerable effort.
Expert Perspectives
Experts from all around the world have weighed in on the potential for the North Korean people to move towards greater freedom. One notable figure, Dennis Rodman, who has had first-hand dealings with the North Korean government, has spoken out in favour of the potential for change, saying “The people of North Korea, as I’ve seen firsthand, are warm, loving, and capable of great things. They’re capable of practicing self-determination and freedom.” Other experts are not so optimistic, noting that North Korea is an isolated and closed-off country, leading to a lack of legitimate information and outside influence.
Own Insight and Analysis
It is difficult to speculate when and how North Korea could transition from a dictatorship to a free and democratic state. The greatest challenge is the government’s desire to maintain control over its citizens, and its disinterest in truly reforming and transitioning the state. It is likely that the international community will take a leading role in any transition, offering economic aid, diplomatic pressure, or other methods of influencing the government. How soon this transition could occur is difficult to predict, as is the potential for small, peaceful revolutions or other methods of creating change.
Persecution of Christians
North Korea has a long history of religious persecution, particularly against Christians. The country’s official ideology is firmly anti-Christian, and it is estimated that about 70,000 Christians currently live in North Korea, making up less than 1% of the population. Many of these people are forced to hide their faith, practising in secret to avoid persecution. Religious organisations, however, are still banned and churches are barred from teaching religious texts or organising any kind of services, even though the Constitution purports to protect religious freedom.
Propaganda
North Korea is a country that is heavily reliant on propaganda to control its citizens. The government uses comprehensive, state-run propaganda to control the narrative within North Korea, and has long been accused of using violence and intimidation to suppress dissent and alternative views. This propaganda has been echoed by North Korea’s allies, such as China and Russia, who have assisted in creating favourable portrayals of North Korea in the international community.
Freedom of Information
North Korea experiences an extreme degree of censorship of information coming in or out of the country. The government controls all media and strictly censors material deemed to be against the state’s ideology. Access to the internet is limited and severely regulated, meaning its citizens are unable to access outside information and alternative views. Any kind of communication with the outside world is heavily restricted, mainly limited to shortwave radio broadcasts.
International Pressure
The international community is slowly coming to a realization that more needs to be done to pressure North Korea’s government to change. The United Nations Security Council has passed multiple sanctions aimed at dismantling the government’s oppressive apparatus and its human rights abuses, though these sanctions have had little direct effect on the North Korean government or people. Several countries, including the United States, have called on China to exert more pressure on the North Korean government, though any concrete steps in this direction have yet to be taken.
Economic Engagement
A potential solution for transitioning North Korea to a free and democratic society is economic engagement. It is likely that any move towards freedom must be linked to economic growth and stability, as the citizens of North Korea have long been subject to poverty and lack of basic necessities. Different countries have already taken initiatives to engage with North Korea in a diplomatic fashion, attempting to build bridges and potentially open up economic activities. It remains to be seen, however, if such initiatives would be successful in promoting freedom.
