{"id":8270,"date":"2024-01-02T05:25:12","date_gmt":"2024-01-02T04:25:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.northkoreainfo.com\/?p=8270"},"modified":"2024-01-02T05:25:12","modified_gmt":"2024-01-02T04:25:12","slug":"why-does-north-korea-have-sanctions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.northkoreainfo.com\/why-does-north-korea-have-sanctions\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Does North Korea Have Sanctions"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Social Perspective<\/h2>\n

North Korea’s regime and its social infrastructure has created an environment of extreme secrecy and censorship. It restricts citizens’ freedoms and limits access to information in an environment of oppressive rule. It is no surprise then that North Korea was ranked the least free country in the world by Reporters Without Borders in 2020. This contributes to the lack of awareness and education that North Koreans have about the sanctions and their place in the global community. Even those who get their information from foreign sources often find themselves confused and unable to understand the full extent of why their country is sanctioned.
\nThe effects of these sanctions have been devastating for ordinary North Koreans. The International Red Cross estimates that over 10 million people are living in extreme poverty, and the World Food Program has expressed fears that food security levels have declined dramatically. Many staple immunizations such as polio, measles and tetanus have declined at shocking levels, meaning more citizens are subject to preventable diseases. These sanctions can also often lead to a breakdown in international health protocols, which can mean a rise in infections and other diseases.<\/p>\n

Economic Perspective<\/h2>\n

North Korea’s economy is heavily reliant on external trade and the sanctions have had a dramatic impact on the country’s economic well-being. According to the IMF, the sanctions led to a 7% reduction in export earnings and a 7.5% decline in gross domestic product in 2017 alone. The country has been hit hard by restrictions on imports and exports, with the UN Security Council’s 2016 resolution banning all coal, iron ore and seafood exports from the country.
\nThe US-led sanctions have also had a dramatic impact on North Korea’s job market. According to a report by the International Crisis Group, many North Koreans are unable to find actual employment due to the stringent measures which often restrict access to international networks. This has led to many citizens turning to informal activities such as smuggling or other black market activities just to be able to make ends meet.<\/p>\n

Political Perspective<\/h2>\n

It is widely accepted in the international community that the North Korean regime is just as responsible for the sanctions as the countries imposing them. North Korea’s possession and testing of nuclear weapons, as well as its dismal human rights record, has led to widespread condemnation, and subsequently sanctions, from the international community.
\nIn order to counter these sanctions, the country has resorted to some of the most extreme tactics in modern history, from international cyber attacks to money laundering. This has further highlighted to the world the despotic, oppressive regime which runs the country, leading to even more criticism, and more sanctions.<\/p>\n

Military Perspective<\/h2>\n

The sanctions imposed on North Korea have had a dramatic affect on the country’s military capabilities. The UN Security Council has imposed restrictions on the import of arms and military equipment, as well as on the export of military-related items from the country. As part of the sanctions packages, there have been bans on the export and transfer of weapons-grade nuclear material and plutonium. This has had a significant impact on North Korea’s military capabilities, as the country had been reliant on imports for much of its military technology.
\nThe country has also been hit hard by restrictions on scientific and technical cooperation which have hampered North Korea’s ability to develop advanced technologies. This has had a wide-reaching impact on the country’s missile and weapons program, as well as its space exploration ambitions.<\/p>\n

International Perspective<\/h2>\n