Demilitarised Zone Of Conflict
North Korea is a hostile country, with an isolated government, fiercely defensive of its rules and regulations. Clearly, it has good reason to be mad; as a small, impoverished nation, it is overshadowed by its South Korean counterpart. The two countries have had a hostile relationship since their separation in 1945, when they were forced apart following the end of World War II. This rift culminated in a bloody conflict that lasted from 1950-1953, leaving North Koreans feeling betrayed and unprotected by the international community. This feeling of hostility is made even more palpable by the demilitarised zone (DMZ) that stretches across the Korean peninsula and serves as a physical barrier between North and South Korea.
Many experts cite strong feelings of betrayal and humiliation as a key source of North Korean anger. For instance, Dr. Rachelle Peterson, an assistant professor at the US Air Force Academy, highlights the disproportionate burden that North Korea carries in the relationship. She argues that North Koreans “have been treated as second-class citizens by the international community,” with policies privileging South Korea’s prosperity and freedom at their expense. This deep sense of injustice fuels North Korea’s anger, as it is unable to defend its own interests and protect its own citizens.
Furthermore, North Korea has few allies, especially in its immediate vicinity. South Korea has only strengthened its ties with the US and other nations, leaving North Korea without the protection it needs. As a result, North Korea’s leadership has developed a siege mentality in order to protect itself from external threats. This has manifested in aggressive tactics of missile tests, nuclear proliferation, and cyberattacks aimed at its neighbours.
The grievances of the Korean War are further exacerbated by the economic crisis that North Korea is facing. Its outdated economic system of centralised government control, combined with punitive international sanctions, has resulted in a devastating poverty trap for its citizens. This economic impoverishment is particularly agonising for those living in North Korea, as many of their peers in nearby South Korea enjoy comfortable lifestyles and greater access to the world.
Controversial Media Portrayal
The retaliatory aggression seen in North Korea also finds its roots in the controversial media portrayals of the country that are common in western media. North Korea is often demonized as an irrational, belligerent ‘rogue state’ that is on the brink of war and nuclear collapse. This narrative paints the nation as an enemy of the international community, which has come to be accepted as the truth.
To make matters worse, North Korea has been targeted by western media’s attempts to sanitise their own foreign policy. As a result, North Korea is painted as an irrational, bellicose monster and is ridiculed for its leaders’ behaviour. David Kang, professor of International Relations at the University of Southern California, pointed out that ‘North Korea isn’t a tragic mistake. It’s a rational, albeit misdirected, choice by a beleaguered nation with few resources and few friends. The media’s portrayal of the North as an irrational aggressor is often an excuse to shift the blame of foreign policy failures onto the North.
National Pride And Dignity
This demonisation of North Korea is not only deeply unfair, but it also undermines the country’s national pride and dignity. Through this one-sided violation of North Korea’s rights, the international community has demonstrated severe disrespect for its sovereignty. Simultaneously, South Korea’s growing prosperity and assertiveness, accompanied by its aggressive foreign policy towards the North, has only served to fuel North Korea’s anger and resentment.
The US-led international community has made little effort to truly understand North Korea or to build a stronger relationship with the state. China, the only major power currently backing North Korea, is often seen as a faithful ally, and its role as a mediator between North and South Korea is often overlooked.
Nuclear Expansionism
The combination of all these factors has led to North Korea’s nuclear expansionism and its increasingly aggressive stance towards its neighbours. Michael J. Bosack, a senior analyst at the RAND Corporation, noted that North Korea “has pursued a nuclear capability as a tool of self-preservation”, as seen in its rhetoric of ‘national self-reliance’ and its proclamations that it will never be bullied by the international community. This nuclear capability acts as a deterrent against foreign powers; it gives North Korea an upper hand in its negotiations with neighbouring countries, and it prevents other countries from attacking it outright.
This brings us back to the reminder that North Korea has been an isolated state since the Korean War. In the face of international aggression and humiliation, North Korea has felt powerless and ignored, and its leaders have adopted a defensive and destructive posture in order to protect their citizens from any threat.
UNSC Resolution Provocation
The recent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution on North Korea has been seen as an especially provocative move. The resolution calls for tighter sanctions on North Korea and reinforces the international community’s hostility towards the nation. This has only angered North Korea further, as it feels that its sovereignty is once again being violated.
This latest act of provocation exacerbates the already strained relationship between North and South Korea and could potentially lead to conflict. The US and South Korea have already stated their intent to take a tougher stance against North Korea, and there is fear that the mounting tensions could soon escalate into a full-scale war.
International Cooperation
The only way to end this cycle of provocation is for international cooperation and compromise. All parties involved must work together to create a bridge of understanding and mutual respect between North and South Korea, and the rest of the international community.
This is especially important if the world is to prevent North Korea from taking any further aggressive action. Central to this is the opening of the dialogue between North and South Korea, which is a precursor to more meaningful negotiations. It is up to the international community to step up and show North Korea that it is not alone and that real progress can be made through diplomatic channels
Diplomatic And Financial Pressure
The UNSC has already imposed strict economic sanctions on North Korea in an attempt to bring the nation to the table for negotiations. This approach has not been universally successful, however, as the economic crisis in North Korea has only deepened since the sanctions were imposed.
Although the strict economic measures have been seen as a form of ‘economic warfare’ by North Korea, experts argue that financial and diplomatic pressure is the only way to de-escalate the tensions. South Korean president Moon Jae-in has already called for the US to take a less hostile stance towards North Korea and to focus instead on diplomatic negotiations that could resolve the crisis.
Freezing North Korean Weapons Program
The primary aim of the sanctions imposed by the UNSC is to encourage North Korea to freeze its weapons program. This is a key step towards de-escalating the tensions and preventing a potential conflict. The freezing of North Korea’s weapons program, however, is reliant on the dialogue between North and South Korea taking place, and the international community has a key role to play in helping this to happen.
The UNSC and the US have both pledged to support negotiations between the two countries, but it is clear that viable solutions need to be sought in order to truly defuse the situation. In this regard, the US and the international community must be willing to compromise and seek out a reasonable settlement that is beneficial for all parties.
Escalation Of Hostilities
At the same time, the international community must be mindful of the fact that North Korea is dealing with an escalating hostility and mistrust towards the US and its allies. This can be seen with North Korea’s recent launch of a series of short-range ballistic missiles. It is believed that this launch was meant to send a message to the US and its allies that North Korea will not back down in the face of international pressure.
It is important that North Korea’s grievances are taken seriously and that its rights are respected by the international community. Although the nation has been accused of hostile actions in the past, it is essential that diplomatic measures are taken in order to address the underlying causes of North Korea’s anger and prevent further escalation of hostilities.
Internal Reform In North Korea
As a result of the hostility and mistrust, North Korea has become increasingly isolated and it is important that other nations take an active role in establishing some kind of connection with the nation in order to foster mutual understanding and respect. Moreover, it is essential that internal reform in North Korea is encouraged, as the nation’s economic system is outdated and detrimental to its citizens.
The UN, the US and its allies must take a responsible and patient approach in managing the crisis in North Korea. The aim should be to foster dialogue in order to ensure that North Korea feels respected and secure in the international community and to ultimately work towards a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
