1. North Korea’s Foreign Policy
North Korea is a secluded and mysterious nation, largely closed off from the rest of the world. It has very few political and economic allies; however, it has some loyal friends and occasional trading partners. North Korea is largely isolated, and its Cold War foreign policy has been described as a “Byungjin” — meaning to “pursue nuclear and economic development simultaneously”. Kim Jong-un and his government have sought to create a more modern international profile, but much of the nation’s foreign relations is affected by its nuclear program. The United Nations and many countries have imposed sanctions on North Korea, cutting off important sources of revenue, and increasing its political isolation.
2. Historical Allies
One of the oldest and most consistent allies of North Korea has been China. Since 1961, the two countries have had a formal diplomatic relationship and China is believed to be North Korea’s most reliable and important ally. China is also North Korea’s largest foreign trading partner, and as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has regularly blocked international efforts to increase sanctions on Pyongyang.
Formerly, North Korea had ties with the former Soviet Union, which were sustained through the Cold War. In the 1990s, the two countries worked together, building a railway line between them. Although this partnership later fell apart, Russia still maintains some ties with North Korea.
3. Current Allies
In addition to traditional allies in China and Russia, North Korea has forged ties with some African and Latin American countries. These include Angola, Cuba, and Venezuela, who have promised economic and military assistance.
Other countries that are friendly with North Korea include Belarus, Iran, Pakistan, Syria, and Vietnam. Last year, North Korea and Malaysia established diplomatic relations as well.
4. Afraid of Change
North Korea’s foreign policy may seem volatile, but the government is actually quite conservative. It is highly resistant to change, and limits access to foreign culture and media in order to maintain control.
In recent years, there have been efforts to preserve North Korea’s national identity, while also opening up to modern ideas. Kim Jong-un has launched reforms and pushed for economic modernization. The government is also approaching diplomatic relations with more flexibility. Talks are ongoing with South Korea to improve economic and cultural ties and potentially start mending the divide between the two countries.
5. India
North Korea’s relationship with India has been complex. Although the two countries have never had formal diplomatic ties, India and North Korea maintain warm relations. India has given support to regional peace initiatives, and regularly sends students to North Korean universities. North Korea is also a major partner in India’s space launches. India relies on North Korean launch pads and technical expertise for multiple satellite launch vehicles (SLV).
6. Stalled Diplomacy
North Korea’s diplomacy has been hampered by its nuclear weapons program. In 2017, both the United States and North Korea’s leadership met for a series of talks in Singapore and Hanoi. Despite the momentous occasion, the negotiations ended unsuccessfully. Neither side was willing to make the necessary concessions, and the talks fell apart.
7. International Criticism
In recent years, the United Nations has increasingly criticized North Korea’s human rights record and nuclear weapons program. A 2018 report stated that the government had been responsible for systematic and widespread human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and “intentionally created” starvation. The UN has imposed punitive sanctions on North Korea in an attempt to force the government to end its nuclear weapons program.
8. Doing Business
Though North Korea has few countries that it has strong diplomatic ties with, there are many countries willing to do business with it. It is estimated that North Korea makes billions of dollars annually through illicit activities such as counterfeiting, drug trafficking, and the sale of weapons to other countries.
For instance, North Korea has been involved in the illegal sale of arms to rebels in other African countries. It is believed to have supplied weapons to Cameroon, Congo, and Uganda, as well as been involved in the illegal sale of diamante and timber to South Africa, China, and Thailand.
9. Scams and Sanctions
The sanctions imposed by the United Nations against North Korea have been largely ineffective. Despite the restrictions, North Korea continues to make money through illegal activities and cybercrime.
Sanctions have, however, forced North Korea to become more creative with its tactics. The government is widely believed to be running a massive “Optical Character Recognition (OCR)” scam, which involves sending emails that appear to be from legit organizations, but are actually attempts to steal information or money.
10.Restrictions on Foreign Ties
The government of North Korea is wary of any ties with foreign states that could threaten or undermine its power. The North Korean constitution states that the North must “limit the size of local authorities and keep ‘the unity of the leadership’”. This means that it won’t expand its diplomatic relations with any country that isn’t loyal to the ideology of the state. It also means that North Korea is unlikely to do business with any organization that is opposed to Kim Jong-un’s rule.
Conclusion
North Korea is one of the world’s most isolated countries, and its government is very protective of its independence and national identity. Despite international sanctions, the state continues to make deals with foreign countries and entities through illegal activities, cybercrime, and diplomatic outreach. It is clear that North Korea is determined to maintain its power and protect its interests, with or without the help of allies.
