North Korea: Regime of Oppression
North Korea is one of the most oppressive regimes in the world. It is ruled by a ruthless dictator, Kim Jong-un, and its government is renowned for having extremely harsh laws. North Korea is an isolated country, which has managed to largely remain away from the world’s gaze. This is what makes it so difficult to understand why we let North Korea exist and why it is still not intervened in yet. To understand this further we need to explore what truly makes North Korea tick.
One of the main issues is the lack of international action. United Nations sanctions have been imposed on North Korea for many years, but they have not been successful in stopping its human rights abuses. Additionally, due to the country’s secretive nature, it is hard for international organisations to gain an accurate picture of what life is really like in North Korea. This makes it difficult for effective interventions to be put in place.
Furthermore, there is an ideological element to why North Korea is allowed to exist. The North Korean government adhere to a philosophy called “Juche”, which encourages independence and isolation from the rest of the world. This has made it difficult for other countries to directly intervene as it would be seen as intrusion into the country’s national affairs. As a result, the international community is likely to continue to allow North Korea to exist.
Another issue is the country’s nuclear arsenal, which has been built up over the years. North Korea currently has the capability to develop nuclear weapons, which could potentially be used in the future. As a result, allowing North Korea to exist provides an added layer of security for the international community. It would be extremely dangerous if North Korea’s nuclear weapons were to fall into the wrong hands and allowing them to exist ensures this does not happen.
Although North Korea has used its nuclear capability as a means of ensuring security for the country, it is also responsible for numerous human rights abuses. Many lives have been lost due to the government’s oppressive stance and its refusal to adhere to international standards. It is shocking that countries have not done more to intervene and put an end to the suffering of the North Korean people.
Despite its harsh rule, North Korea continues to exist. It is a country shrouded in mystery and allows the government to operate with impunity. To truly understand why we let North Korea exist, it is important to consider all of the different factors at play. From the international community’s reluctance to intervene due to its secretive nature, to the country’s ideological stance and its nuclear arsenal, there are many elements that contribute to its continued existence.
U.S.’s Policy on North Korea
The United States has long held a policy of non-intervention when it comes to North Korea. Since the Korean War, the US has maintained a firm stance against further military action, opting for diplomacy and economic sanctions instead. This policy has been characterized by a willingness to negotiate with North Korea and grant certain concessions as long as the North Korean government agrees to reciprocate.
However, this policy has not been without its faults, as it has arguably failed to bring about meaningful change in the human rights situation in North Korea. Despite the various agreements that have been reached between the US and North Korea, the latter has yet to make any tangible progress in terms of its human rights record, with numerous reports documenting atrocity stories and oppressive citizen policies.
The US policy on North Korea has also been criticized for its lack of urgency. Despite the severity of the situation in North Korea, the US has largely been slow to respond and has not taken any definitive action. This delay has allowed the North Korean regime to continue with its human rights abuses and oppressive policies, with no end in sight.
Furthermore, the US policy may have inadvertently encouraged North Korea to develop its nuclear capabilities and lead to escalating tensions between the two countries. The US stance of “strategic patience”, which was adopted by the Obama administration, was seen as an unwillingness to take meaningful action, thus giving North Korea the upper hand in negotiations.
The US’ policy on North Korea has been largely viewed by many as too passive. The US has not done enough to put pressure on North Korea to change its human rights record and its nuclear program. This has contributed to the continued existence of North Korea, as the US has yet to seriously address the issues.
China’s Support for North Korea
China is North Korea’s main ally and is one of the main reasons why the country is still allowed to exist. Despite its long-held rhetoric of wanting a denuclearized Korean peninsula, China has historically been a strong supporter of the Kim regime. It has provided economic support, military assistance and diplomatic backing to North Korea.
China has also been reluctant to increase economic pressure on North Korea, which the US and international community have urged for many years. This has been largely attributed to the fact that China does not want to see a collapse of the North Korean regime, as it could potentially lead to a unified Korea that is aligned to the US. This is something that China does not want to see, as it sees North Korea as a buffer between itself and the US.
Furthermore, China has actively blocked United Nations sanctions on North Korea and has maintained its trade relations with the country. It has allowed North Korean refugees to cross its border, although it has not accepted the United Nations calls for refugee resettlement. This support is crucial for the survival of the North Korean regime, as it provides economic and diplomatic backing.
The support that China provides to North Korea is a major factor in why the country is still allowed to exist. Although China has stated its intention to increase sanctions on North Korea in recent years, there is still skepticism that it is doing enough to push for change. Ultimately, without the backing of China, it is hard to see how the North Korean regime would continue to survive.
Conclusion
North Korea is an isolated and oppressive regime that has been allowed to exist for many years. To understand why this is, it is important to consider the various factors that contribute to its continued existence. These include the lack of international action, the ideological element of the country, its nuclear arsenal and the support that it receives from China.
Ultimately, these factors all contribute to making North Korea a seemingly impossible situation to intervene in. The combination of diplomatic, economic and military issues that surround the country make it hard for the international community to take meaningful action. In the meantime, the North Korean people continue to suffer and will do so for some time yet.
North Korea and International Law
North Korea’s disregard for international law has been one of the driving factors in allowing the country to exist unopposed. The North Korean government does not adhere to any of the core human rights treaties and its human rights record has been consistently criticized by the United Nations and international organisations. Although the international community has attempted to pressure North Korea through sanctions and other forms of pressure, it has yet to truly embrace the spirit of international law and make changes.
Furthermore, North Korea has a history of flouting international law. It continues to violate the United Nations ban on nuclear and missile tests, as well as numerous trade embargoes and sanctions that have been imposed by various countries. As a result, many see North Korea as a rogue state that is incapable of following international law.
International law plays an important role in global affairs and it is essential that countries abide by it. Allowing North Korea to operate with impunity and disregard international law weakens the global rule of law. It sets a dangerous precedent and allows other countries to act similarly. This is why it is important for the international community to hold North Korea accountable for its actions and make sure that it follows international law.
North Korea and Human Rights
The North Korean regime’s disregard for human rights has been one of the main reasons why it has been allowed to exist. The government has refused to adhere to international standards and its human rights record is one of the worst in the world. Reports of torture, arbitrary detention and disappearances are commonplace and the North Korean people have little, if any, recourse to fight back.
Additionally, North Korea’s oppressive rule has meant that freedom of speech and basic rights are non-existent. Citizens are constantly monitored and the government has attempted to prevent any form of dissent. This has meant that North Koreans have had to resort to more creative and clandestine ways to fight for their rights, such as through underground media and illicit networks.
The international community has attempted to put pressure on North Korea to change its stance and improve its human rights record. Although certain agreements have been reached, such as the Six-Party Talks, these have yet to lead to meaningful change. The lack of tangible progress and the unwillingness of the North Korean government to commit to real reforms has meant that the international community has been left with little choice but to allow North Korea to exist.
North Korea’s Influence in the Region
North Korea’s influence in the region is a major factor contributing to why it is allowed to exist. The North Korean government has stocked up its nuclear arsenal in an attempt to scare off potential aggressors, such as the US or South Korea. By doing so, it creates a feeling of insecurity in the region and allows North Korea to maintain a powerful position.
Furthermore, North Korea is a key player in international affairs and has served as a proxy for certain countries, such as China and Russia. The North Korean government has allowed itself to become a tool for certain countries to extend their influence in the international arena and this makes it hard for certain countries to truly oppose the North Korean regime.
North Korea’s influence in the region also creates a Catch-22 situation. On one hand, the international community does not want North Korea to have nuclear weapons, but on the other, it needs to ensure that it has sufficient deterrence to prevent further aggression. This creates a difficult balance that the international community has to maintain in order to ensure that North Korea’s influence in the region remains manageable.
Allowing North Korea to exist is a difficult decision to make, as it allows the regime to continue in its oppression. Nevertheless, it has become a necessary reality in order to ensure regional security and stability. The international community must continue to make sure that North Korea does not become too powerful and its influence does not spiral out of control.
