General Overview
The title of Supreme Leader of North Korea is currently held by Kim Jong-un, the son of Kim Jong-Il and the grandson of Kim Il-sung. Despite being thought of as a young leader, having taken power in 2011, he has grown rapidly in his new role and has consistently proved himself to be a strong leader in the region. Under his rule, Kim Jong-un has shown an affinity for making progressive changes within North Korea, and has pushed a pro-business and diplomatic foreign policy. Despite this, however, the nation still faces threats from the United States, Japan, and South Korea.
The legacy of the Kim dynasty in North Korea is one of control, power and order. Kim Jong-Il took control of the country from his father, Kim Il-sung and followed his same strict policy on authoritarianism, ensuring that the North Korean population was not given any more freedom than was absolutely necessary for the nation to survive and grow. The current leader, Kim Jong-un, is following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, but with a different agenda.
Kim Jong-un has shown himself to be open to diplomacy, and has recently held several talks with South Korean and US officials, leading to some small steps towards international relations. In addition, he has also relaxed restrictions on foreign investment, allowing businesses to invest in the country in exchange for certain concessions.
Domestically, Kim Jong-un has pushed through changes aimed at modernizing the country. These have included the introduction of high-speed internet, the roll-out of a mobile banking system, and improved infrastructure in sectors such as transportation and energy.
Despite these changes, there are still many areas of improvement that need to be addressed in North Korea. Poverty and human rights violations are still rampant in the country, and Kim Jong-un has yet to speak out against the government’s oppressive censorship of the media. It remains to be seen if these issues can be tackled in the near future.
Diplomatic Relations
Under the rule of Kim Jong-un, North Korea has cautiously opened up to diplomatic engagement with the rest of the world. Most recently, Kim Jong-un met with US President Donald Trump in June 2018, and while it did not lead to immediate diplomatic resolution, it was a major step forward and a source of hope that further talks may take place in the near future.
The US, South Korea and Japan have all expressed open willingness to engage and negotiate with North Korea, but have also reserved the right to use military force in the event of any hostile action by North Korea. As such, North Korea must be careful in what actions it takes if it is to maintain a friendly relationship with the rest of the world.
Kim Jong-un has also proven himself to be better at international diplomacy than his father and grandfather. He has regularly held meetings with other world leaders, and has also opened talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. These talks have been a major source of hope for those looking to see a peaceful resolution between the two countries.
North Korea has also signed deals with other countries in order to secure diplomatic support and economic aid. These deals, while beneficial to the country, have also had a downside, as they have led to certain countries viewing North Korea as a source of influence and power. As such, Kim Jong-un must be careful to not overstep his boundaries and trigger a diplomatic crisis.
Economic Development
In order to tackle poverty and human rights issues, North Korea must make progress on the economic front. An improved economy is essential for North Korea to be able to make changes in terms of its standard of living, and the country has taken steps in this direction under Kim Jong-un’s rule.
One of the main changes has been the introduction of foreign investment into the country. Kim Jong-un has approved of foreign investments from countries such as China and Russia in exchange for certain concessions, which have seen improvements in infrastructure and basic living standards for the North Korean population. This has also led to increased access to the internet, telecommunications and other forms of technology, allowing the country to gain a better understanding of the world.
In addition to this, Kim Jong-un has allowed for certain markets to open up, which has led to a rise in private enterprise and entrepreneurship. This, in turn, has created more job opportunities and has resulted in an overall improvement in the quality of life for many North Koreans.
Kim Jong-un also recently announced plans for a special economic zone, which would see greater foreign investment in the form of tax-free zones and other options. This is an encouraging sign for the North Korean economy, and could lead to greater progress for the country in the near future.
Social Reforms
Under the rule of Kim Jong-un, North Korea has also seen some progressive changes in the form of social reforms. These reforms have focused on improving the quality of life for North Koreans, and have included changes such as increased access to education, health care, and other basic services.
In terms of education, Kim Jong-un has supported the development of new schools and universities, which have provided better quality learning opportunities to North Koreans. He has also launched a program aimed at increasing access to the internet and telecommunications, allowing North Koreans to access the world more easily.
In terms of healthcare, Kim Jong-un has launched a number of initiatives, including the opening of new hospitals and medical clinics and the provision of medical supplies and equipment. These measures have provided improved healthcare options to North Koreans and have also led to greater life expectancy.
Kim Jong-un has also taken steps to improve the rights of women in North Korea, introducing laws which give women the same rights as men in terms of education and employment. These laws are a major step forward for North Korean society, and could potentially lead to broader changes in the near future.
Political System
North Korea is still an authoritarian state, and the power of Kim Jong-un and the ruling party is absolute. Kim Jong-un has made some changes in order to modernize the country and his rule, but the country still follows the same system of absolute control as under previous leaders.
Despite the absolute power of the ruling party, there are some areas of North Korea where democratization has been taking place. Kim Jong-un has allowed for regular elections in some areas of the country, in which people can vote to elect their local representatives. This is a major step forward for North Korean politics, and could potentially lead to further democratization in the near future.
The North Korean media is still largely controlled by the ruling party, and there are strict rules about what can and cannot be said in public. This, however, has not stopped North Koreans from finding ways to express themselves, and Kim Jong-un has in fact supported the growth of certain forms of art and culture. This has led to a greater appreciation of freedom of expression in North Korea, and could potentially lead to further political changes.
Despite Kim Jong-un’s attempts to modernize the country, there is still much work to be done in terms of opening up political systems and improving the standard of living for the North Korean people. While Kim Jong-un’s rule has been a step in the right direction, much more must be done in order for the country to make real progress.
Foreign Policy
Due to the tension between North Korea and the rest of the world, its foreign policy is of great importance. Kim Jong-un has taken a mostly conciliatory approach when it comes to international relations, and has made some notable strides in re-establishing diplomatic ties.
Kim Jong-un has recently held talks with US and South Korean leaders, and has pushed for a decrease in tensions between the two countries. In addition, Kim Jong-un has also reached out to China and Russia for support, and both countries have expressed their willingness to continue the dialogue.
Kim Jong-un has also sought to show that North Korea is a responsible member of the international community, supporting international cooperation on issues such as climate change and nuclear non-proliferation. This has led to an overall improvement in the country’s foreign relations, and could potentially lead to further progress in the future.
Despite this, the situation between North Korea and the United States is still delicate. The US still has a number of sanctions in place against the country, and has also expressed its willingness to take military action if it feels threatened. As such, Kim Jong-un must proceed with caution if he is to maintain friendly relations with the US.
North Korea’s foreign policy remains an important and delicate matter, and it will be up to Kim Jong-un to decide the direction of the country’s future relations with the rest of the world. It remains to be seen how he will handle these matters in the weeks and months ahead.
