Background Information
North Korea is one of the most secretive and isolated countries in the world. It is a single-party state ruled by its leader – Kim Jong-Un. He gained power in 2011 after his father, Kim Jong-Il, passed away. Kim Jong-Un is referred to as supreme leader and is responsible for the laws of the land. He has complete control over economic, defense and foreign policies. He also presides over the national legislature and the high court. With the help of high-ranking officials and media, Kim Jong-Un promotes the Marxist-Leninist ideology of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, and a signature policy of the country is its pursuit of nuclear disarmament.
Relevant Data
North Korea is officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and is located in East Asia. It borders China to the north, South Korea to the south, and Russia to the east. Its capital city is Pyongyang, and its official language is Korean. North Korea has a population of approximately 25 million people, the majority of whom are ethnically Korean. Its GDP per capita is estimated at 5,500 USD. North Korea’s economy is centrally planned and heavily reliant on exports of minerals and coal, with China being its largest trading partner.
Perspectives from Experts
Experts have been considering the efficacy of Kim Jong-Un’s leadership since he came to power. According to some experts, due to his advanced age and long history in the leadership, Kim Jong-Un has been able to maintain the centralization of power and consolidation of control over the country. This has prevented him from being accountable for the country’s economic stagnation and human rights violations. On the other hand, other experts, who view Kim Jong-Un from a critical angle, blame him for the economic crisis and the famine in the early 1990s. According to them, his government has done little to reform the economy or improve living conditions for its citizens.
Domestic Politics
Domestically, Kim Jong-Un’s rule is characterized by a highly centralized control based on a single-party system. The Workers’ Party of Korea retains its power and is the only political party in the country. He has also been consolidating power by promoting loyalists to key posts and declaring a blanket ban on any other forms of political activity. Moreover, the government through its Ministry of People’s Security has been using oppressive tactics to deter any forms of political dissent.
Foreign Policy
Under Kim Jong-Un, North Korea has adopted a foreign policy that focuses on the country’s international recognition. To this end, the government has intensified ties with countries such as Russia, China and Iran, while maintaining hostile relations with the US and Japan. Additionally, North Korea has also been demanding South Korea to join its alliance. It has also augmented its nuclear arsenal and continues to conduct nuclear tests, although the government insists they are solely for defensive purposes.
International Relations
North Korea has long been the subject of international concern due to its human rights violations, nuclear ambitions and frequent military provocations. The US and other western countries consider the country a rogue state due to its refusal to abide by UN and other international conventions. The country is also under various sanctions imposed by the US and the UN Security Council. Additionally, China, which is considered North Korea’s closest ally, often uses its economic leverage to influence its government’s policies.
Economy
North Korea has experienced a dismal economic performance since Kim Jong-Un took power in 2011. Based on data from the World Bank, the country has a poverty rate of more than 30%. Its economy is plagued by a lack of access to foreign markets and financial capital, as well as an inefficient bureaucracy. North Korea relies heavily on the proceeds of its exports of minerals and coal, the largest of which are China and Russia. Nonetheless, the government continues to invest further in the sciences and technology, particularly nuclear capabilities.
Sanctions
Due to Kim Jong-Un’s nuclear ambitions and human rights record, the international community has had to impose a number of sanctions on the country. The UN Security Council passed several resolution aimed at curbing the country’s nuclear development, placing trade embargoes and limiting their access to the global financial system. The US has also placed several sanctions on North Korea, including a travel ban, asset freeze and economic penalties. These sanctions are intended to pressure the country to abandon its nuclear program and improve its human rights record.
Human Rights
North Korea has long been criticized for its human rights violations and is considered one of the worst offenders in the world. The government is notorious for its use of torture, extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrest and detention, and public executions. citizens are subject to relentless government surveillance and systematic controls. Additionally, freedom of expression is severely curtailed, with access to foreign media and communication media heavily restricted. The government also controls all education and strictly monitors religious activities, imposing prison terms for non-compliance.
International Pressure
International pressure has been mounting on North Korea to address its human rights violations. NATO and the European Union have called on the government to improve its human rights record and ensure the accountability of those responsible for violating human rights. While some progress has been made on the recommendation of the UN, human rights groups and the media have accused the government of failing to address the systemic and endemic human rights abuses in the country.
