Background Information
North Korea is a country located in East Asia and has a long and complex history. The country is officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and is bordered by China to the north, South Korea to the south, Russia to the east and the Sea of Japan to the east. The capital and largest city of North Korea is called Pyongyang and the country is home to 25 million people. North Korea is notorious for its oppressive and authoritarian government and its leader, Kim Jong-un, has been accused of numerous human rights violations. In recent years, North Korea has become increasingly isolated, both internationally and domestically, and remains largely unexplored by foreign visitors.
Where On The Map?
North Korea can be found on the map located between China and South Korea. It is bordered by the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea, and is the only country in the world that is still divided along their Cold War-era borders. Pyongyang, the capital and largest city of North Korea, is in the center of the country and is the political and economic hub of the nation. Other notable cities include Kaesong, Nampo and Wonsan.
Geography
The geography of North Korea is varied, with mountains covering over 70% of the country. The highest peak is Mount Paektu, which is an active volcanic mountain at an elevation of 9,000 feet. North Korea also has several rivers, including the Yalu, Tumen, and Yodo rivers, which form the border with China. North Korea also has plenty of coastline, and the country is home to several beaches, including the sandy beaches of Sondok in the northeast region of the country.
Environmental Conditions
The environmental conditions in North Korea have been affected by years of pollution and deforestation. The country has suffered from severe flooding several times in recent years, due to glacier recession and poor land management. Air and water pollution are widespread, and overuse of resources has caused serious degradation of the soil. The lack of access to clean energy sources such as electricity has also deteriorated the conditions in North Korea, and the country remains largely dependent on food imports in order to meet the nutritional needs of its population.
Economy
North Korea’s economy is largely state-controlled, with the government playing a major role in the economy. The government tightly controls the access to foreign currencies, and the country relies heavily on remittances from the North Korean diaspora abroad. Despite this, the economy is largely closed off from the outside world and is subject to international sanctions, which have hindered its development. North Korea also has a well-developed weapons industry, and is believed to be involved in illegal activities such as counterfeiting of foreign currency.
International Relations
North Korea’s international relations are often strained and heavily influenced by its government’s decisions. North Korea’s foreign policy is often seen as increasingly isolationist, and it is not recognized as a member of the United Nations. It maintains a tenuous relationship with the United States, and the two countries often clash over issues concerning nuclear weapons, human rights, and economic sanctions. It is also involved in an ongoing conflict with its southern neighbor, South Korea, over the decades-long division of the peninsula.
North Korean Culture
North Korean culture is heavily influenced by Confucianism and the Juche ideology, which advocates for complete self-reliance and national self-sufficiency. North Korean culture is highly patriarchal, and traditional gender roles are still prevalent in the country. North Korean art and literature are carefully monitored and censored by the government, and displays of individualism or dissent are strictly forbidden.
Tourism
Despite its international isolation, North Korea still attracts visitors from all over the world. Tourism is heavily regulated and restricted by the government, and tourists must travel with an appointed guide and are closely monitored during their visit. The most popular tourist destinations in North Korea include the capital city of Pyongyang, the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, and the ancient city of Kaesong.
Media Access
Media access in North Korea is heavily monitored and censored by the government. TV and radio are state-controlled, and access to the internet is heavily restricted. Print media is tightly controlled and heavily regulated, and international newspapers and magazines are prohibited from distribution. Phone lines and postal service are also restricted, and even North Koreans living abroad are not allowed to contact their relatives in North Korea without an approved passport.
Human Rights
North Korea has a dismal record when it comes to human rights, and the country’s authoritarian regime has been widely condemned by the international community. The government has long been accused of carrying out human rights abuses such as torture and arbitrary detention and of severely limiting the freedom of speech and movement. North Korea also has a policy of separating families and has a strict policy of censoring foreign media and denying its citizens access to the internet.
Stability
North Korea is a highly unstable nation and has long been in a state of political, economic, and social unrest. The governments’ oppressive policies have led to the country’s international isolation, and the influx of foreign goods and foreign culture is heavily monitored and restricted. There have been several domestic protests in recent years, and the government has been accused of violently suppressing them. The situation in North Korea further deteriorated in 2018 when tensions between North Korea and the U.S. increased, leading to a volley of threats and counter threats from the two countries.
Food Security
North Korea suffers from one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises and food shortages have been a perennial problem. Poor agricultural policies and insufficient investment have resulted in a food insecurity crisis and malnourishment is widespread throughout the country. The UN estimates that more than 10 million people are in need of food assistance and the government’s strict control of food supplies has created a black market, and further reduced access to adequate nutrition.
Economic Development
North Korea’s economy has long been in a state of stagnation and underdeveloped. The government has implemented various economic reforms in recent years, but the lack of foreign investment and access to global markets have prevented the country from achieving economic growth. The country relies heavily on foreign aid for food, medicine and other basic necessities, and over 70% of the population is believed to be living in poverty.
International Intervention
International intervention has been sought to address North Korea’s humanitarian crisis and nuclear proliferation. In 2018, talks between North Korea and South Korea culminated in a joint declaration calling for an end to belligerence and the denuclearization of the peninsula. International sanctions on North Korea have also been imposed, and the UN Security Council has been involved in helping North Korea to ripen its economy.
