When it comes to North Korea, the world’s opinion is relatively one-sided. North Korea is a heavily sanctioned nation and one of the last remaining “Communist” states. It’s been locked in a stalemate with the United States for decades. But the question remains- who sides with North Korea?
The answer to this question requires an examination of the various international alliances that exist today. One of North Korea’s closest allies, both militarily and economically, is China. China is also one of the few nations that have close diplomatic ties with North Korea, which aids in its ability to remain relatively isolated from the world. China is thought to have supported North Korea since it was founded in 1948. The Chinese economic aid has been beneficial to the North Korean economy and many experts speculate that this has contributed to North Korea’s current success in avoiding the world’s imposed sanctions.
Russia also has close ties to North Korea, and the two countries hold regular meetings and government exchanges. While Russia has not offered much in the way of military aid, they have been relatively supportive in discussions of international relations. North Korea also has a close relationship with Iran, which has offered some financial and military aid in the past.
South Korean Perspective
Although the relationship between North and South Korea has been hostile, North Korea has been open to the idea of reunification. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has offered to open peace talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and has even proposed a “joint economic development plan” in the past. President Moon has been open to the idea of talks and both leaders have discussed the possibility of denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula. The current South Korean government is one of the few who sides with North Korea.
While the South Korean government is open to the idea of peace talks, the South Korean public is more divided. Many South Koreans view North Korea as a threat due to its nuclear capabilities and human rights violations. Despite this, there are some South Koreans who view North Korea as an ally and support the idea of reunification. These opinions are held by a minority and are not supported by the majority of the population.
International Perspective
When it comes to international perspective, North Korea doesn’t have many friends. Although some countries are more open to the idea of peace talks, most nations have a negative opinion of the North Korean regime. The United Nations has implemented a series of stringent sanctions on North Korea to punish their violations of human rights and their nuclear ambitions. These sanctions have been largely ineffective as North Korea continues to pursue nuclear weapons.
Most nations believe that North Korea should abandon its nuclear weapons program and look for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing tensions. Many nations have offered aid and assistance to North Korea if it decides to denuclearize, although the North Korean regime has refused to accept any outside assistance. Despite this, some nations such as Russia and China have been relatively supportive of the North Korean government.
United States Perspective
The United States has been at odds with North Korea since the Korean War. The US has sanctioned and held military drills with allies in the region, in an effort to contain North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. President Donald Trump has recently held two summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a bid to restart talks between the two countries. However, not everyone in the United States agrees with the President’s approach. Some politicians in Washington view North Korea as an unpredictable, rogue state, and are in favor of a more hard-line stance against North Korea.
The Trump administration has been willing to engage with North Korea in an effort to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, but many experts are skeptical of North Korea’s intentions. The US has also been less than enthusiastic about North Korea’s recent proposals for peace and unity, instead opting for a security-first approach. So far, the United States appears to be the only major nation to oppose North Korea.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of which perspective one takes, the answer to the question of who sides with North Korea is relatively clear. China and Russia are the only major allies that North Korea has and both countries have been willing to maintain diplomatic ties with the nation. South Korea has been the most willing to look for a peaceful solution, but the majority of the population views North Korea as a threat. The United States publicly opposes North Korea and has implemented a series of sanctions to pressure the government into denuclearizing. As of now, North Korea’s friends are few, and they appear to be unwilling to abandon their efforts.
North Korean Economy
The North Korean economy is heavily dependent on foreign trade and has been significantly impacted by the United Nations sanctions that have been imposed on the country. In order to keep the economy afloat and to maintain governmental control, North Korea relies heavily on China, who is its largest trading partner. As a result, hundreds of North Korean workers are sent to China to work in factories and pay a portion of their wages to the North Korean government.
The North Korean government also generates income through the exports of commodities and the sale of weapons to foreign countries. These activities are partially hidden, as North Korea often sells its resources to companies located outside of the country, making it difficult to track the flow of money into the regime. Additionally, North Korea also collects taxes from its citizens and makes money through illicit activities, such as counterfeiting and drug trafficking.
The North Korean economy is far from thriving, as the country struggles with inflation and a general lack of resources. Despite this, the country has managed to remain relatively independent from the international community and has avoided a complete economic collapse.
Human Rights Violations
North Korea is widely considered to be one of the most oppressive nations in the world. Political dissidents are regularly arrested, tortured, and often killed by the regime. The North Korean government has also been accused of committing crimes against humanity, such as forced labor and starvation. Human rights organizations estimate that over 200,000 people are currently held in North Korean prisons, and many are subjected to inhumane treatment.
The North Korean regime denies its violations of human rights and instead claims that it is merely protecting its citizens from outside forces. However, the United Nations has declared North Korea’s human rights violations to be among the worst in the world and has imposed a series of sanctions in an effort to pressure the government.
The North Korean government is also infamous for its people’s lack of freedom of expression and access to information. Internet access is tightly controlled and censored, and most ordinary citizens do not have access to online services like Twitter and Facebook. Additionally, freedom of religion is virtually non-existent, as citizens are forbidden from practicing any religion other than that of the government.
Nuclear Ambitions
North Korea’s nuclear ambitions have created increased tension between the nation and the international community. The North Korean regime is believed to possess nuclear weapons and is exhibiting an increasingly belligerent stance towards neighboring countries. North Korea has repeatedly threatened to use its nuclear arsenal and has been accused of conducting multiple missile tests in recent years.
The United Nations has imposed a series of economic sanctions on North Korea in an effort to protest its nuclear ambitions. Despite this, North Korea has not been deterred, and has even doubled down on its efforts to develop its nuclear capabilities. Most experts agree that North Korea is unlikely to abandon its nuclear weapons program and that the situation is unlikely to be resolved in the near future.
The increased tension between North Korea and the international community has only exacerbated the situation, as the North Korean regime has become increasingly unpredictable and hostile. Despite the United Nations’ calls for dialogue, North Korea has yet to reciprocate, and a resolution to the crisis appears to be nowhere in sight.
