...North Korea Hermit Kingdom 27 FEB 2016 Life In North Korea One of a series of drawings of public executions created by North Korean refugee child showing the stages and manner of public execution in North Korea. Factual accuracy was later confirmed by news reports and a video taken and smuggled from North Korea to Japan. Picture credit: North Korea Genocide Exhibit As one of the only remaining closed societies in the world, North Korea has garnered global attention to what is sealed off within its borders. Despite the ongoing food crisis that has lasted for two decades and the whimsical leadership under the 'Kim' family, life manages to go on in Hermit Kingdom. A man gathering grass as a source of food from a park. Picture credit: Eric Lafforgue North Koreans are constantly under the scrutiny of the state. Neighbourhood watch groups know as the Inminban are deployed in all villages. A female junior official usually heads the group and her main tasks are to look out for any suspicious activities within her jurisdiction and ensure there are no 'contraband' items like DVDs of South Korea and tuneable radio sets. Instilling fear and propaganda are the two main tools the North Korean government use to ensure obedience of its citizens. People are often required to attend public execution where political dissidents and transgressors are shot to death on the spot. Statues and figures of the Kim family are ubiquitous. The government is...
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...oppressed. The nation of North Korea is no exception, with “Bing-brother always watching.” The government in North Korea pervades all aspects of life. Hunger is a problem worldwide. However with a quarter of North Korea’s population (six million people) starving or malnourished, with nearly one million of those cases being children under the age of five years old, the situation is especially dire (Cullinane 3). Throughout history the term “famine” has referred to a shortage of food caused by uncontrollable circumstances. Modern famines are relatively nonexistent because international aid, globalization, and modern domestic responses are all able to provide a safety net for those in need of assistance. In reality, mass-starvations today are caused by government decisions and improper food distribution. The North Korean government controls food delivery through a Public Distribution System (PDS), on which 62 percent of the population is entirely reliant upon for monthly or biweekly rations (Haggard et al. 17). To put this dependency in perspective, by the end of the 1990’s the PDS could barely support six percent of the population (Haggard et al. 28). In the 1990’s those who lived in the Northeastern Hamgyong provinces, a region historically rebellious due to mountain ranges and proximity to China, were cut off from the PDS (Nastios 109). With regime control of food distribution, creating food shortages became an effective and horrifying way in which the North Korean regime consolidates...
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...Proposal Literature Review: The title of my research is why the United State persisted to solve the North Korean nuclear issue with means of negotiation and pressure rather than military force since 1990s. In Chapter one of the dissertation, a comprehensive history of the North Korean issue would be presented. In this part, the background as well as the process of the North Korea’s nuclear issues development would be presented in detail. Pyongyang decided to started nuclear project with the previous experience and technology it could get due to its increasing sense of isolation and threat from the United State since 1970s. However, American was aware of its ambitions and prevented North Korea from going nuclear through dialogue and normalization of U.S.-North Korean relations. In 1990s, North Korea was persuaded into nuclear nonproliferation obligations as well as Denuclearization Declaration. (Wit, 2004) In1993, the first nuclear crisis out broke with North Korea’s announcement of its intension to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. This movement had increased tension among the countries in Asia. In 2003, the first Six-Party Talk started in Beijing including China, South Korea, Japan, Russia and the United State, which was the negotiation to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue. (Rinehart, 2013) The attitude of North Korea was still tough that the announcement of its ownership of nuclear weapons in 2005 resulted in the second nuclear crisis. The...
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...NORTH KOREA Nicholas Eastman There are a few different countries that, in my opinion, would be enjoyable to visit and study their culture. One country in particular seems to stick out to me. I have always been taught about democracy in school, as well as other government styles, but have never first hand experienced another style of government. For this reason I chose North Korea, based on their centralized communist ways. I opinionate this to be an interesting way of life and would like to learn more about how people live under a communist government. From what I know about North Korea, rules seem strict and the people do not have the same rights as we do in the United States, which leaves me wondering how my life would be different, living under the same conditions as North Koreans. The geography of North Korea represents a peninsula, attached to Manchuria, China, and a small portion of the USSR (Geography). This 600 mile long peninsula is just above the 38th parallel, with a size of just above 45,000 square miles (Geo). With this, it makes the country itself smaller than the state of Pennsylvania. The make-up of the land in North Korea consists of several mountain ranges, lined up north to south, with small valleys in between each (Geo). This does not allow for many rural areas, leading to large cities populated by millions of people. The Yalu River forms a portion of the northern border with Manchuria (Geo). The mountains in the country prevent large farms, which...
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...Will North Korea in due time undergo changes or experience implosions sooner or later ? Is a big changing or a revolution similar to the Arab Spring possible in North Korea? The answer from me and most scholars and intelligence analysts has been ‘‘NO’’ The Pyongyang regime’s stability in the aftermath of the events in the Middle East and North Africa is an ‘‘old question’’ that was answered in the 1990s when the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, North Korea) faced the most critical test of its life, and survived. The collapse of the Soviet Union, the drastic cuts in patron aid from China, and the onset of famine that killed hundreds of thousands all constituted the ultimate test of DPRK stability, and the regime staggered on through it all.(1) There are five potential variables that could bring the Arab Spring to North Korea’s doorstep: individual socio-economic development, rates of economic growth (rising expectations), demography (youthful population), the contagion effect, or regime type. Do we see the possibility for change in the DPRK from any of these? Not really. In the months since Kim Jong-un has been in power, most telling is the way he remains overshadowed by his late father and grandfather. Kim jong Un's a contrast to his introverted dad, Kim Jong Il. In power for more than a year, Kim is very much an extrovert who loves to appear in public, watch his beloved hoops and deliver speeches. "Much of his behavior may be political theater aimed at convincing...
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...North Korea Inter-Continental ballistic missile is a threat that could influence or impact US operation; economically, the diplomatic politics and security of the Asia-Pacific region. The ICBM is North Korea effort a threat capable of serving as a deterrence to United States’ attack on North Korea soil. The North Korea is using the ICBM as a means that could change the US approach to the Korean Peninsula situation. The development ICBM could also be a move to buy time for favorable negotiation. The Hwasong-15 is the newly developed ICBM of North Korea believed to have the capabilities of delivering nuclear bomb on US soil. This could be an indication that North Korea it targeted goal of nuclear production. According to some expert, Kim Jung Un is optimistic that the Hwasong -15 will be a retaliation against any aggression from the US and her allies in the region. Despite United nations and US sanctions and trade restrictions been placed on North Korea, the Kim Jung Un regime remains...
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...documentary “Inside North Korea” by Lisa Ling shows the isolation that North Korea faces, the fear that Kim Jong Il creates in the people, and it shows what life is like for North Koreans. This country has a political ideology called "Juche” enforce by Kim Il Sung. The ideology “Juche” will be presented in more detail below. North Korea is known as the hermit kingdom because it has been cut off from the rest of the world (Yi, Sun-Kyung, 2004). It is known to be one of the most isolated countries on earth (Lisa Ling). North Korea, Cruelly colonized by Japan early in the 20th century, and split from the south after World War II by cold war politics; it has suffered repressive governments and frequent famines (Yi, Sun-Kyung, 2004). Even with high numbers of famines in North Korea, nothing is imported or exported; this does not benefit the country or its people. This documentary shows the hardships the people have to go through. For example they have no freedom, there’s famine, they do hard labor, are isolated from the world, are punishment, killed, controlled, not allowed to even travel with-in their own country and cannot own a cell phone. It also shows the brainwashing and fear Kim Jong Il, known as The Great Leade, has created his very own people. No one is allowed to talk bad about him, better said to even think bad thoughts about him. He makes North Koreans think he is a supreme being and their God. SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY The political ideology in North Korea is called "Juche”...
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...Russia and North Korea have declared 2015, the year of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II as “Friendship Year”. Since last year, Russia and North Korea have increasingly improved their ties with each other. The growing ties and relationship between the countries has got the world thinking about the intentions of their alliance. More recently, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un has confirmed his visit to Russia. This will be the leader’s first visit to anywhere since taking on the position of North Korea’s leader after the death of his father, Kim Jong-il. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been facing a lot of heat from the United Nations recently because of their military operations in Ukraine. North Korea was sanctioned by the United Nations because of their nuclear test programs in 2006 and since then, the relationships had been worsening, with the States again charging North Korea’s Kim Jong Un of heinous crimes against its own population and more. Both Russia and North Korea have been left in isolation and it seems that both the countries were in need of a remarkable alliance. The countries have announced that they will deepen economic and political ties starting from this year; their ‘year of friendship’ (McCurry). An official North Korean news agency said that the countries would “develop bilateral relations on to a new higher stage in various fields including politics, economy and culture under a mutual agreement”. Another question in the minds of the people...
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...After the war between North Korea and South Korea the North stayed communist but the South went back to its natural state meaning that it was not communist. -- Well, North Korea and South Korea went to war in the late 40's or early 50's (before then, Korea was one whole country.). The economy and government are very different between the two countries. South Korea is a perfectly good country. They have cell phones and cars and internet and they're a democracy (things you probably take for granted if you live in the US or Canada or South Korea or pretty much any other free country). But in North Korea things are different. Kim Jong ll rules over North Korea. In North Korea, people are pretty much brainwashed from a young age that the ruler of the country is always right, no matter what, and there's nothing you can do about that. North Korea doesn't have internet, and even though there's a few buses there, there's no such thing as a traffic jam there. They just started allowing cell phones, only a few people have them. International calls and texts aren't allowed. North Korea is basically a country that's closed off from the rest of the world. It's very difficult to leave the country. You might not be able to leave without a good reason, and if you do get to leave you might not be able to come back. It's pretty hard to travel there too- you can't just hop on a plane and fly there. Of course people do escape from time to time- but most people don't even try, don't even think...
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...Values, Norms, Traditions, and Narratives of North Korean Culture Even though the cultural values of North Korea are always evolving,I felt that the following values and norms are fundamental to their culture. Harmony in personal relationships is a dominant force in a Korean’s life (Moerch). Facts, logic and conclusions are often not nearly as important as how one is looked upon by others. Friendships are tight-knit and valuable. It is an insult to refuse a friend’s request. It is even less forgivable to fail a superior. These friendships are possible because everyone does his or her best to preserve the harmony of good feelings. The bearer of bad news may smile to soften the blow, or they may avoid giving the news, even if s/he is merely the messenger and in no way responsible for it. It is very hard for Koreans to admit failure and it is devastating to lose face in Korean culture. The directness of Westerners is thoroughly unpalatable to many Koreans (especially older and/or more traditional people), whose self-esteem is often on the line. In Korea, it is very important to maintain “kibun” or the feeling of being in a in a comfortable state of mind. Kibun has no literal translation in English. However, it can be described in terms of pride, face, mood, or state of mind. In order to maintain a Korean’s sense of Kibun, particularly in a business context, one must show the proper respect and avoid causing loss of face. In a culture where social harmony is essential, the ability...
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...Hello everyone, I would like to talk to you about the humanitarian crisis in North Korea. Kim Jong Il imposes a totalitarian rule over the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or the D.P.R.K. for short. The DPRK is what north Korean’s refer to when mentioning their country. This is ironic because they are far from being democratic and they have absolutely no say in their government elections. The Kim family has ruled for generations and wins one hundred percent of the time because North Korea does not allow any political opposition. The people are isolated and are completely cut off from the outside world. According to a North Korean world article, North Koreans practice collective punishment. This means that if you go against Kim Jong Il in any way, not only will you get in trouble but the rest of your entire family will be punished. There is evidence about the political prisons that say death rates are extremely high. Grandchildren to grandparents have been sent to prison camps. Guards who have defected have reported being specifically told by Kim Jong Il that the prisoners are not people and should be treated as such. They are never meant to be released and their history is erased as soon as they enter. Although North Korea denies any of these camps exist. This is a humanitarian crisis and there is evidence that they are committing crimes against humanity. Kim Jong Il and his government should be held accountable. We CANNOT sit back and allow this to go on. Satellite imagery...
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...was a military conflict between the Republic of Korea, supported by the United Nations, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China (PRC), with military material aid from the Soviet Union. The war was a result of the physical division of Korea by an agreement of the victorious Allies at the conclusion of the Pacific War at the end of World War II. The Korean peninsula was ruled by Japan from 1910 until the end of World War II. Following the surrender of Japan in 1945, American administrators divided the peninsula along the 38th Parallel, with United States troops occupying the southern part and Soviet troops occupying the northern part.[2] The failure to hold free elections throughout the Korean Peninsula in 1948 deepened the division between the two sides, and the North established a Communist government. The 38th Parallel increasingly became a political border between the two Koreas. Although reunification negotiations continued in the months preceding the war, tension intensified. Cross-border skirmishes and raids at the 38th Parallel persisted. The situation escalated into open warfare when North Korean forces invaded South Korea on 25 June 1950.[3] It was the first significant armed conflict of the Cold War.[4] The United Nations, particularly the United States, came to the aid of South Korea in repelling the invasion. A rapid UN counter-offensive drove the North Koreans past the 38th Parallel and almost to the...
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...The story that led United States officials to blame North Korea for the cyber attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment, took place in November. North Korea is getting better at their capabilities of hacking. The United States spy agency hacked into the Chinese networks that connect North Korea to the outside world. They picked through connections in North Korea hackers and cracked directly into North Korea with the help of South Korea, and another United States ally. A classified agency program expanded into the best effort to track computer and networks used by North Korea hackers. South Korea’s military recently said numbers around 6,000 people. The evidence gathered by the “early warning radar” purposefully hid to monitor North Korea’s activities....
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...North Korea (officially named the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or DPRK) is a single-party Communist state in south-east Asia, ruled since 1949 by the Korean Workers' Party (KWP). Regarded by many in the international community as a pariah state (meaning that it is an outcast), North Korea has in recent years become increasingly poverty-stricken, with many of its citizens having barely enough food to survive. The KWP is kept in power largely thanks to a combination of international concern for North Korean citizens and the patronage of the Chinese government, which exports large quantities of food to North Korea in return for KWP assistance in certain areas. Until the 1990's, North Korea also received significant quantities of aid from Russia, but the fall of communism in that country led to this aid being almost entirely stopped, the catalyst for many of the recent problems in North Korea. It is widely speculated that North Korea's entire economy would collapse virtually instantly if China withdrew its current level of support. In almost every measure of prosperity, North Korea lags far behind most other countries. Barbara Demick points out in her book Nothing to envy: real lives in North Korea that "if you look at satellite photographs of the Far East by night, you'll see a large splotch curiously lacking in light. This area of darkness is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" (Demick, 2010, page 3). The country has a strong centrally-controlled economy that...
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...The Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea is a country on the Korean peninsula in Asia. More colloquially known as North Korea, it is infamous for its numerous human rights violations and oppressive government. Harsh conditions, severe famine, a communist dictatorship and many other factors contribute to the reasons why many North Korean citizens would want to defect. Defection is a long, arduous event with many obstacles, which can make or break someone’s life, and is a taboo topic in North Korea. Not only is defection risking your life, but it is risking the lives of your family as well. North Korea feeds constant communist propaganda to their citizens, and controls all aspects of international media. This is common knowledge,...
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