Nukes and Nationalism: Why Does North Korea Hate Malaysia?
North Korea’s belligerent stance towards the world has been well documented, but not all countries on its radar are treated the same. Malaysia, for example, is subject to a degree of irrational resentment from the isolated state. Understanding the root of North Korean aggression towards the Southeast Asian nation can provide insight into the Hermit Kingdom’s worldview and domestic politics.
North Korean media’s criticism of Malaysia has largely focused on its handling of kim jong Nam’s killing. In 2017, the eldest son of Kim Jong-Un was assassinated at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in an assassination that was widely believed to be orchestrated by North Korean forces. Malaysian authorities conducted an investigation, ultimately charging two women with the murder. North Korean diplomats exposed their vast network of espionage at the time, leading to speculation that Pyongyang had used the Malaysian justice system to free its citizens.
Political interests have been identified as a key factor behind North Korea’s ire. Malaysia’s rejection of North Korean diplomats’ entreaty to soften their response to the crime outraged Pyongyang, which could not accept being slighted by a country it considered lesser. Rather than capitulate, Malaysia stood its ground, developing diplomatic ties with South Korea instead.
Much of North Korea’s hypocrisy was revealed during the spat with Malaysia. Pyongyang demanded liberty for its citizens but was unwilling to offer the same courtesy to Malaysians wrongfully charged by North Korean authorities. North Korea also accused Malaysia of a “hostile act” for curtailing North Korean diplomatic freedoms, yet its leaders fail to recognize the authoritarian nature of its government.
The state’s actions can also be attributed to its isolationist foreign policy. North Korea prefers to keep almost all world powers at arm’s length, creating a hostile atmosphere that other countries cannot penetrate. By crossing the Hermit Kingdom and publicly demanding accountability, Malaysia went against the wishes of the regime, compromising its narrative of invincibility. North Korea was left with no choice but to lash out.
The regime also maintains a defensive stance with South Korea, often blaming the other side of the 38th parallel for creating tension on the Korean Peninsula. Anger towards Malaysia may stem from a fear that the country will act as an ally to South Korea, strengthening the Pyongyang’s rival against the backdrop of nuclear negotiations.
Neutrality and North Korea’s Nuclear Arsenal
Another issue that could fuel North Korea’s animosity towards Malaysia lies in the nation’s neutrality and self-imposed status as a “nuclear-free zone”. Nuclear disarmament is a contentious topic in the region, with Pyongyang making great strides in its weapons program in recent years, most notably increasing its arsenal from 10 warheads to more than 20. While Malaysia has consistently shunned nuclear arms, its policy of avoidance must rankle North Korea. As a leader firmly entrenched in a “nuclear-first” policy, the Hermit Kingdom cannot show any validation of a “nuclear-forbidden” policy.
North Korea also sees Malaysia as a potential threat due to its ties with the United States. North Korea’s relations with the US have been strained since the 1950s Korean War, and the Hermit Kingdom cannot accept any influence from an American ally in the region, especially one that has cooperated so closely with South Korea. Malaysia has consistently denied involvement in US strategic moves, but the possibility that it might one day side with America and its allies is a risk to North Korea’s power and ambitions.
The rejection of sanctions represents another sore point between North Korea and Malaysia. In 2017, the United Nations Security Council voted unanimously to impose economic sanctions on North Korea in order to punish the regime for its provocative actions. Malaysia, like many countries, voted in favor of the resolution. For a country that views outside criticism as an assault on its sovereignty, this representation of unified opposition was much too costly to ignore.
Malaysian Personalities Draw North Korean Disdain
Malaysian personalities have occasionally been the target of North Korean harassment. Such is the case with Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad, who is held in contempt by North Korea’s ‘supreme leader’ due to his frequent criticism of the Hermit Kingdom’s human rights abuses. Mahathir’s years-long critique of North Korea’s oppressive rule, combined with Malaysia’s strong stance against its ambitions, has made the country an easy target for Pyongyang’s vitriol.
Anwar Ibrahim is another Malaysian figure to have drawn North Korea’s ire. Anwar, a politician and human rights activist, has been the target of North Korean official’s disdain ever since he exposed the regime’s brutality towards its own citizens in the 90s. His vehement calls for freedom in the country remain a constant source of embarrassment for Pyongyang and a reminder of Malaysia’s willingness to challenge accepted power dynamics.
Malaysian athletes and sports teams have also been on the receiving end of North Korean anguish. The national hockey team in particular, of which Anwar is a member, has been the object of North Korean anger for many years due to a series of “unsportsmanlike” gestures performed by Anwar and his teammates. This includes Anwar publicly defending those who have made disparaging remarks about North Korea and its leadership.
Underlying all of these grievances is a unifying natural fear of Malaysia. North Korea’s official language is filled with disparaging rhetoric about Malaysia, as well as most other countries, but it’s hard to argue that the country isn’t best exemplifying the traits North Korea’s leaders value the most: autonomy, strength, and resolve.
Malaysian Sanctions and the Human Cost of Aggression
Malaysian officials have responded to North Korea’s hostility with sanctions of their own. Despite Kuala Lumpur’s traditionally close ties with Pyongyang, the country has adopted a hardline stance, taking steps to limit economic exchanges between the two countries and freeze the assets of North Koreans residing in Malaysia. The sanctions have had a devastating effect on North Korea’s trade, leading to shortages of basic everyday items and increased financial strain.
The sanctions have had a serious impact on the population, but due to North Korean’s state-run media, the human cost of the conflict is rarely discussed. Pyongyang continues to claim that the Malaysian government is pushing for the overthrow of the regime and that its citizens are suffering for it. This narrative helps North Korea maintain its status as the victim and detracts from the fact that it is ultimately responsible for the mounting human rights violations and suffering of its people.
The Malaysian-North Korean dispute is an example of the bitter and dangerous consequences of international tensions. Pyongyang’s short-sightedness has caused human suffering and pushed away a longtime ally, yet the Hermit Kingdom shows no signs of relenting. Without a resolution, more innocent victims are sure to be caught in the middle of the conflict.
North Korean Strategic Distractions
North Korea has consistently attempted to deflect attention away from its own transgressions and internal issues by shifting the blame onto its adversaries. This strategy of blaming others has allowed Pyongyang to avoid addressing its own shortcomings while maintaining a veneer of innocence in the eyes of its citizens. This has been especially evident in its latest spats with Malaysia, where North Korea has gone to great lengths to portray Malaysia as the aggressor and paint its own actions as a form of self-defense.
North Korea has also attempted to delegitimize Malaysia’s government. In 2019, the Hermit Kingdom’s propaganda machine released a series of articles and videos that attempted to discredit Malaysia’s ruling coalition and malign Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad. While these campaign had limited impact, they indicate North Korea’s willingness to use such tactics as a means of exacting revenge on its foes.
The tactic of ‘hostile diplomacy’ has proven to be effective, but it comes with a tremendous risk. North Korea’s aggressive posture towards its foes has alienated many of its would-be allies and the situation with Malaysia is a perfect example. The Hermit Kingdom has enough issues without creating additional problems for itself, yet it persists down a path of destruction and isolation.
Geopolitical Tensions Continue to Threaten Global Stability
The Malaysian-North Korean feud is just one part of a much broader geopolitical landscape. The ongoing tensions between the two countries expose a host of underlying issues that have been exacerbated by Kim Jong-un’s dictatorial rule, namely the lack of diplomatic engagement, regional power struggles, and the threat of nuclear confrontation. These problems are unlikely to go away anytime soon and will continue to create ripples throughout the international community.
The danger of nuclear warfare is a pressing concern, with North Korea’s weapons program raising the stakes each passing day. Sanctions and deterrence have been used as a means of controlling North Korea’s behavior, but these strategies have yet to yield any lasting results. North Korea’s aggressive posturing towards its adversaries serves to further isolate the Hermit Kingdom and hinder any prospects of diplomatic resolution.
The conflict between Malaysia and North Korea may be localized, but it is representative of a much larger issue – namely, the danger posed by a nuclear-armed North Korea. The effects of North Korean aggression are far-reaching, not just for those countries directly impacted by its hostile policies, but for the world as a whole. Until a peaceful resolution can be achieved, the conflict will remain a looming threat to international stability.
Politics of Fear and the Mental Cost of Isolation
North Korea’s antagonism towards its enemies is not just political, but psychological. The Hermit Kingdom’s relentless use of fear and intimidation serves to maintain its grip on power through instilling an atmosphere of dread and paranoia among its citizens. Rather than engaging in constructive dialogue, Pyongyang relies on its oppressive tactics to maintain control, an approach that not only restricts its citizens’ happiness, but corrodes their mental wellbeing.
North Korea’s hostility towards Malaysia further reinforces the notion of the state’s fear-mongering tactics. By setting Malaysia and the West as enemies, North Korea seeks to position itself as a defender of “truth” and “justice,” giving it an excuse to continue its oppressive rule. This branding of the opposing side as the “enemy” serves to galvanize North Korea’s citizens and present the state as a victim of outside aggression.
North Korea has perpetuated a culture of fear, using it to justify its aggressive behavior and oppress its people. The Malaysian-North Korean feud serves to inspire unrest and tension within the country, allowing Pyongyang to distract its citizens from the government’s corruption and erode any sense of international solidarity. The dispute has illustrated the extreme lengths the Hermit Kingdom will go to preserve its power, as well as the human cost of such policies.
