North Korea is one of the most reclusive countries in the world, and thanks to its largely isolated position, it borders very few states. On its northern side, North Korea is bordered by Russia, and to the south, it shares and land border with South Korea. To its west, North Korea shares a maritime border with China and to the east, the only country that it shares a maritime border with is Japan.
Geographically speaking, North Korea has a particularly interesting position on the continent of Eurasia. It sits between Russia to the north, China to the west and Korea to the south. Therefore, when taken together, a large portion of East Asia is physically connected by the sparsely populated state.
The Cold War is largely responsible for the position of North Korea today. It is the result of the Soviet Union’s ally, North Korea, separating itself from South Korea, which was an ally of the United States. Therefore, the two countries are now split, with North Korea’s borders to the south guarded by a demilitarised zone.
Despite having so few countries as neighbours, tensions on the Korean peninsula remain high. The decades old conflict between North and South Korea has not yet been resolved and is a source of constant friction between the two neighbouring countries. Tensions were further increased when North Korea tested nuclear weapons, a move which has resulted in increased sanctions from the international community.
In the past few years, the situation has slightly improved due to a series of bilateral talks between North and South Korea. As a result, the border has been opened to some degree and the two countries have taken steps to increase trade and communications. It may be too early to say if the situation will turnaround completely, but the current state of affairs is an improvement on the situation at the start of the century.
Relations with Japan
Although North Korea does not share a land border with Japan, it does have a maritime border. This has caused tension between the two states as Japan has recognised North Korea as a threat and has taken steps to monitor the situation. In recent years, North Korea has conducted multiple missile tests which have landed in the waters of Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone, leading to further tensions between the two states.
In response, Japan has imposed many sanctions on North Korea and has taken steps to increase its military capabilities. Japan has also increased its defence budgets and signed mutual defence agreements with the United States in order to protect itself from any potential aggression from North Korea.
China’s Role
Given its shared border with North Korea, China plays a major role in the situation on the Korean peninsula. Although China has historically been an ally of North Korea, it has recently taken a more neutral position, criticising North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and taking part in international sanctions. However, China has still provided support to North Korea, mainly in economic and energy realms.
China has been reluctant to further punish North Korea, as it fears that a collapse of the regime would cause chaos in the region and potentially thousands of North Korean refugees to flood across the border. Additionally, there is a shared interest between China and North Korea in preventing a reunification of the peninsula, as this would involve a greater American presence in East Asia.
Relations with Russia
North Korea and Russia have a long history of diplomatic relations and have been allies for much of the post-war period. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, relations between the two countries have deteriorated, largely due to Russia’s close ties with the United States. Nevertheless, Russia still maintains a small diplomatic presence in North Korea and has provided assistance to the state in various ways.
Russia has supported North Korea in the United Nations, where it has opposed sanctions and sought to de-escalate tensions on the Korean peninsula. Additionally, Russia has provided economic assistance to North Korea, including fuel, food and technology. However, overall, Russian influence in North Korea is declining and the United States remains the primary diplomatic and economic force in the region.
Geopolitics and Trade
North Korea’s small number of bordering countries means that it has limited access to international markets and is therefore heavily reliant on its own resources. Nonetheless, North Korea has managed to establish some trading links with its neighbouring states, particularly China. In recent years, China has been North Korea’s primary trading partner, accounting for as much as 90% of North Korea’s total trade. Other countries, such as Russia, have also provided North Korea with limited supplies of goods.
In addition to its land borders, North Korea has access to the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea, making international trade possible. These maritime routes are the main way for North Korea to access international markets, as they are largely free from the restrictions placed on land borders. Nonetheless, international sanctions on North Korea have limited its access to the international market, leading to economic hardship in the country.
The Impact of Sanctions
International sanctions imposed on North Korea have had a significant impact on the economy of the country. Access to the international market has been largely curtailed, leading to a significant decrease in investment and a sharp drop in foreign currency reserves. In addition, many businesses have been forced to close as the sanctions have limited their access to capital and resources. As a result, North Koreans have suffered an economic downturn as a consequence of the sanctions.
Nonetheless, there have been some notable successes. North Korea has been able to maintain a certain degree of economic self-sufficiency, as it is largely self-reliant in terms of food production and has access to natural resources such as coal and minerals. Additionally, North Korea has managed to avoid complete collapse, largely thanks to its continued support from China and Russia.
Potential for Reunification
The separation of North and South Korea after the Korean War of 1950-53 has been a source of tension on the Korean peninsula for decades. However, in recent years, there have been some signs of progress towards reunification. Bilateral talks between the two states have improved relations and led to a gradual opening of the border. There has also been an increase in trade and communication between North and South Korea.
Despite this progress, many are sceptical that full reunification is possible in the near future. There are still many unresolved issues between the two states, and there is still a deep mistrust between North and South. Nevertheless, there is a growing belief that a peaceful reunification is the only way forward for the Korean peninsula, and that the two countries must work together in order to secure a better future.
International Involvement
Given the significance of the Korean peninsula, there has been a long history of international involvement in the situation. The United Nations has been a major player, leading diplomatic efforts and imposing sanctions on North Korea. In addition, the United States has remained closely involved, protecting South Korea and maintaining a large military presence in the region.
China has also been extensively involved in the Korean peninsula, both directly and indirectly. China has historically provided support for North Korea, both economically and diplomatically, and has sought to maintain the status quo in the region. In recent years, however, China has taken a slightly more neutral stance, expressing more criticism towards North Korea and increasing sanctions.
Overall, the situation on the Korean peninsula remains tense, largely due to the unresolved conflict between North and South Korea. North Korea’s limited number of neighbours has meant that it has been largely isolated from the rest of the world, although it has also managed to maintain a certain degree of economic self-sufficiency. In the future, it is likely that the situation will remain largely the same, although international tensions could increase further should North Korea decide to pursue nuclear weapons.
