Historical Causes
The conflict between North Korea and South Korea is a long-standing issue with deep rooted roots. The cause of the conflict dates back to WWII, where the two countries found themselves split along ideological lines. As World War II ended, Soviet forces accepted the surrender of the Japanese occupying forces north of the 38th parallel, leaving the US-led United Nations forces to accept the surrender of Japanese forces south of the line. The UN established the Republic of Korea in the South, and the Soviet Union supported the formation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the North. Thus, the two countries have been at odds ever since.
The war between North and South Korea officially began on June 25th 1950, when North Korea made a surprise attack on the South. The North had the support of both China and the Soviet Union, while the South, although backed by the UN, was largely by itself. The war finally ended in truce in July 1953, with the two sides fighting each other to a standstill.
The ideological differences between the two countries still remain. North Korea is a state founded on the ideals of Marxism-Leninism and Juche, while South Korea is a government founded on democracy. This difference in ideology has been heavily influential in their ongoing dispute, which continues to affect the entire Korean Peninsula.
Political Causes
Political differences between the two countries have also been a major cause of the conflict. North Korea’s ruling elite is dominated by the Kim family, who have held firm control over the country since the end of the Korean War. According to a Human Rights Watch Report, North Korea is a totalitarian dictatorship that severely restricts the rights and freedoms of its people. In comparison, South Korea is a democratic state that provides liberties and protections to its citizens.
The ideological and political divide between the two countries has now reached a point where they are unwilling to negotiate and reconcile their differences. North Korea has refused to give up its nuclear weapons program, and has continued to pursue nuclear advancement despite international condemnation. South Korea, on the other hand, has urged for North Korea to give up their nuclear program and come to the negotiating table. The political gridlock between the two countries has now compounded the existing tension.
Furthermore, the North and South Korean governments have been at odds over the implementation of international and regional agreements, such as the Armistice Agreement and the Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The two countries have also been unable to work together to address the issues of reunification and diplomatic relations. These political differences have been a major source of the conflict between North and South Korea.
Cultural Causes
Cultural differences have also been a major cause of the conflict between North and South Korea. The two countries have drastically different languages, religions and cultures. North Korea follows a Juche ideology, which is an extreme form of nationalism and self-reliance, while South Korea follows democracy. As a result, the two countries have been unable to come together in a meaningful way.
North Korea also follows a policy of isolation, where the government discourages contact with the outside world and promotes strong self-reliance. This has made it difficult for North Koreans to gain external perspectives, which could help them better understand the world and the needs of their country. While South Korea has flourished through increased globalization, North Korea has remained largely isolated.
The cultural differences between the two countries have also created a rift in their perception of each other. North Korea views South Korea as an oppressive and hostile enemy, while South Korea has viewed North Korea as an intimidating and oppressive dictatorship. These perceptions have impeded efforts to bridge the divide between the two countries.
Economic Causes
The economic divide between the two countries is one of the root causes of the ongoing conflict. North Korea has suffered from years of economic stagnation and mismanagement while South Korea has become one of the world’s top economies. As a result, North Korea has tried to gain greater economic leverage through methods such as nuclear proliferation and cyber warfare. This has further exacerbated the economic divide between the two countries.
Moreover, North Korea relies heavily on foreign aid and investments to sustain its economy. Much of this aid comes from China, while South Korea has increasingly looked to the US and other western countries for economic assistance. This financial asymmetry has been another major source of the rift between the two countries.
In addition, North Korea has resorted to unconventional methods of economic development such as counterfeiting foreign currency, drug trafficking and money laundering to gain more economic leverage. These actions have been seen as a further insult to the South Korean economy and have been another source of tension between the two countries.
Sociopolitical Causes
The geopolitical tensions between North Korea and South Korea have also resulted in increased social unrest on both sides of the border. North Korea’s oppressive and authoritarian rule has resulted in an outbreak of domestic unrest, while South Korea’s pro-Western and pro-democracy authorities have been met with increasing opposition. This unrest has been a further source of political and cultural discord between the two countries.
In addition, North Korea has reportedly been using international terrorism to further its political ambitions. Several acts of terrorism attributed to North Korea, including: the deadly 2010 Cheonan sinking and Sony hack, have been seen by South Korea as a direct threat to their security and sovereignty. This has further exacerbated the tension between the two countries.
Finally, North Korea’s inflammatory rhetoric against the South has further compounded the already strained relationship between the two countries. North Korea has often referred to South Korea as an “enemy state” and “hostile territories”, while South Korea has condemned North Korean’s provocative behavior and its refusal to follow the agreements. Therefore, the fever-pitch rhetoric from both sides has been another factor in the ongoing tension between the two countries.
Military Causes
The military buildup on both sides of the border has been a major cause of the tension between North and South Korea. Both countries have invested heavily in their militaries, with North Korea having the fourth-largest standing army in the world. This military ambition has further exacerbated their current stalemate, as both countries remain unwilling to back down.
Furthermore, North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear armament has been seen by South Korea as a direct threat to their security. North Korea has repeatedly tested nuclear weapons and advanced missile technology, despite sanctions from the international community. This has caused widespread alarm amongst South Korea and its allies, resulting in further tension between the two countries.
Finally, North Korea has refused to accept international calls for peace and compromise. The country has continued to reject calls for disarmament, while South Korea has urged for negotiations to take place. North Korea’s refusal to accept such calls has been a major source of the ongoing conflict between the two countries.
Geopolitical Causes
The geopolitical landscape of the Korean Peninsula has been another source of tension between North and South Korea. Both countries are surrounded by powerful and influential countries, such as China and the United States, who have their own interests in the region and the conflict between the two countries.
China has been a major ally of North Korea for many years and has engaged in diplomatic efforts to defuse the tension between the two countries. The US, on the other hand, has taken an increasingly hard-line stance against North Korea in recent years. This intransigence from the US has been viewed by North Korea as hostile and further fueled the conflict between the two countries.
In addition, South Korea has increasingly looked towards the US for support in the region. This has further isolated North Korea and increased their feeling of hostility towards South Korea. South Korea’s military alliance with the US has also been seen as a provocation by North Korea and has compounded the tension between the two countries.
International Relations
The international relations between North Korea and South Korea have been a major source of the ongoing tension. North Korea has generally been considered a “rogue state” by the international community and has been subjected to numerous sanctions over the years. This has further exacerbated the breakdown of trust between the two countries.
South Korea has also been outspoken in its criticism of North Korea’s human rights abuses and nuclear weapons program. This has been viewed by North Korea as provocation and has further soured their relations. The international community has also been vocal in its criticism of North Korea and has been reluctant to involve itself in the conflict between the two countries.
Finally, North Korea has continuously refused to cooperate with international organizations, such as the United Nations, and has refused to comply with UN resolutions calling for an end to its nuclear weapons program. This intransigence has been another source of tension between the two countries and has impeded efforts at reconciling their differences.
