North Korea has justly been characterized as one of the most isolated nations on the planet. This is because of its strict rules, regulations, and its government-monitored economic and political activities. Even its military has a strong presence in the domestic affairs of the country. When it comes to foreign relations, North Korea has mainly kept backing down and locking itself away, but that hasn’t kept it from forging alliances with some powerful allies in the world today.
The nation’s most prominent ally is China. China provides economic and political support to North Korea, and also hosts an estimated 300,000 North Korean workers. In return, China expects North Korea to act as a buffer against US presence in the region. North Korea also maintains strong ties with Russia, and both nations work together on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NNPT) as well.
The alliance between North Korea and China has been long-standing, and it is probably the most important one for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. China is the only state that has diplomatic relations with North Korea, as well as the only one supporting Pyongyang economically. North Korea also has a substantial defense treaty with China that includes regular economic and military assistance, and assistance in trade, infrastructure projects, and energy production.
The countries with the closest ties to North Korea are those in the Asian region. These include Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, India, and Bangladesh. In these countries, North Korea’s influence is relatively minor, however, it does provide foreign aid, diplomacy and military assistance, as well as technology, manpower, investment and trade. North Korea is also becoming increasingly active in the Middle East and Africa, particularly in the countries of Syria, Ethiopia, and Yemen.
Due to the high levels of secrecy and autocracy that accompany North Korean relations with other countries, many are unconvinced that any state could truly have an alliance with North Korea. However, alliances have been established, and if the Cold War ends, there could be more alliances in the future. This can, in part, be attributed to the increased diplomatic and economic ties that North Korea has established with various countries in the past few years.
Domestic Political Controversies and Alignments
Within the country, domestic politics and political alignments are complex. Because North Korea is a one-party system, a single-party or a one-party government rules North Korea. This means that the government can make all policy decisions with no input from citizens or any other party. As a result, the North Korean government has been accused of being authoritarian and of curtailing citizens’ civil rights.
There are two prominent political coalitions. The North Korean Workers’ Party and the South Korean Democratic Party are the two main political power centers in the nation. As well as having direct influence on the decision-making process, these parties are also responsible for their respective propaganda operations and serve as conduits for international and regional political relations.
One of the primary strategies of the North Korean government is to align with one or more countries to counterbalance its enemies. By forming alliances with countries such as China and Russia, North Korea seeks to protect itself against hostile foreign powers. At the same time, it has established strong economic ties with many countries, including South Korea and Japan, that enable the country to sustain its economy despite unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States and the UN.
Economic Factors Shaping Alliances
North Korea’s economic activities have also been in the global spotlight for a long time. Despite the global sanctions, North Korea has managed to maintain many economic ventures and bilateral agreements that support its economy and give it an edge in the international market. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s policy of Byungjin (dual track) is one example of the country’s economic approach to forging international relations.
Byungjin is built around two fundamental ideas – the parallel advancement of nuclear weapons development and economic development. This policy has enabled North Korea to deepen its economic relationships with many countries, including China, and provides a range of economic opportunities for its citizens. Further, the country benefits from the resources and trade agreements of these countries.
In addition, North Korea receives economic aid from other countries. China has been providing economic aid to North Korea since the end of the Korean War in 1953. Other countries such as South Korea, Germany, the United States, Japan, and the United Nations have also provided economic aid to North Korea in recent years. As a result, North Korea has been able to maintain its core economy and sustain its military activities.
The Impact of Sanctions on Alliances
The international sanctions imposed on North Korea by the United Nations for its human rights violations and its nuclear weapons program have had a major impact on the country’s relations with other countries. North Korea has been continuously attempting to make international allies, both to help it access food, medicine, and oil and to present a counterbalance to the US-led international sanctions. Despite, international sanctions, North Korea has managed to enter into cooperation agreements with several countries.
In recent years, North Korea has been able to make few allies on the international stage. As a result, the country has been struggling economically and has been facing tough international sanctions. The lack of international allies has also hindered the country’s ability to make progress on its denuclearization. Further, it has led to increased tensions between North Korea and the United States, South Korea, and other countries in the region.
By forming alliances and cooperating with China, Russia, and other countries, North Korea has been able to skirt some of the repercussions of sanctions imposed on it by the international community. However, this has not been without its difficulties, as North Korea still faces criticism from the international community for its human rights violations and nuclear weapons program.
Alternate Points of View and Regional Implications
Alliances with North Korea are also seen as having serious geopolitical implications for the region. Regional and global powers such as the United States, China, Japan, and South Korea have criticized North Korea’s attempts to form alliances with other countries, as they view it as a way to increase its power and status and interfere in the affairs of other countries.
On the other hand, there are some who suggest that North Korea could benefit from having allies, as it may help to reduce its reliance on China, which is its main supporter. North Korea could seek to strengthen its ties with Russia and form alliances with other countries in order to diversify its sources of support and gain access to additional resources.
Critics of North Korean alliances also point out that it would be difficult for North Korean leaders to maintain these alliances in the long term. The authoritarian and oppressive nature of the North Korean government has given rise to a population that is largely unwilling to accept foreign interference or influence within its borders. This hostility towards foreign nations and cultures makes foreign alliances with North Korea much harder to sustain in the long term.
Given the complex geopolitical environment in the region and the various sources of controversy surrounding North Korea, it is clear that alliances with the country could have serious regional implications. While alliances may provide some degree of support and security to North Korea, they could also carry risks of conflict, economic sanctions, human rights abuses, and other international ills.
Dialogue and Diplomacy as a Way Forward
Given the close ties that have been formed between North Korea and other countries, dialogue and diplomacy could provide a potential avenue for breaking down the barriers between North Korean leaders and the international community. It could help foster better understanding and build trust between North Korea and the international community, easing international fears and tensions.
Furthermore, dialogue and diplomacy could create an opportunity for North Korea to open up its economy to foreign investment, and to engage in meaningful trade. North Korea could also use dialogue to garner support from other countries for its policies, particularly those related to its nuclear weapons program, human rights, and economic development. Through this, North Korea could strengthen its alliance with key countries such as China and Russia, as well as its ties with other countries in the region.
While North Korea has faced criticism from the international community and is seen as a country that is difficult to engage, dialogue and diplomacy could still be beneficial in helping the country to reduce tensions and build useful alliances. Furthermore, this could also create an opportunity for North Korea to create better conditions for its people and break down barriers between its citizens and the rest of the world.
