South Korean View of North Korea
Within South Korea, the majority of the citizens have little
patience nor ability to deal with the political musings of North Korea. The
constant threat of war, and provocations of North Korea to start a nuclear war
are the main reason for the tensions between the two countries along with the
disparity in conditions of lives. 4% of South Koreans view North Korea
positively, whilst 90% view North Korean negatively (BBC, 2013). Various South Koreans are
wary and unwelcoming of the North Korean defectors that reach their shores, and
the neighbours from the North only defect because of the promise of a life of
comfort and stability as opposed to the desolate depressing lives currently led
by North Koreans. Within North Korea however, defectors are subject to
propaganda about the conditions of life within South Korea, talking about the
horrible conditions and the lack of social justice existent in the country,
however the allure of the conditions in South Korea and promise for freedom is
too attractive to ignore.
patience nor ability to deal with the political musings of North Korea. The
constant threat of war, and provocations of North Korea to start a nuclear war
are the main reason for the tensions between the two countries along with the
disparity in conditions of lives. 4% of South Koreans view North Korea
positively, whilst 90% view North Korean negatively (BBC, 2013). Various South Koreans are
wary and unwelcoming of the North Korean defectors that reach their shores, and
the neighbours from the North only defect because of the promise of a life of
comfort and stability as opposed to the desolate depressing lives currently led
by North Koreans. Within North Korea however, defectors are subject to
propaganda about the conditions of life within South Korea, talking about the
horrible conditions and the lack of social justice existent in the country,
however the allure of the conditions in South Korea and promise for freedom is
too attractive to ignore.
Figure 5: The comparison between North and South Korea
Source; http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/4/8/1365409925375/North-Korea-v-South-Korea-001.jpg
The diagram provides a head to head of North and South Korea.
The statistics show that South Korea is by far wealthier along with having a higher
quality of life as seen by the life expectancy along with the child mortality
rates. Life in North Korea is far worse than life in the South as the GDP per capita is much higher leaving a higher amount of money for the country to spend
on their citizens, along with the high internet uses per 100 people. This shows
that the South has more freedom than the North along with the freedom of press
in South Korea being much higher. This shows the stranglehold that North Korea
has over it's citizens because of the fact that they aren't allowed much
freedom in the country. North Korea has a higher military expenditure,
conveying the priorities of the country as opposed to the welfare of the
citizens . South Korea has more care for their citizens as opposed to North
Korea who are more military focused and oriented.
Source; http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/4/8/1365409925375/North-Korea-v-South-Korea-001.jpg
The diagram provides a head to head of North and South Korea.
The statistics show that South Korea is by far wealthier along with having a higher
quality of life as seen by the life expectancy along with the child mortality
rates. Life in North Korea is far worse than life in the South as the GDP per capita is much higher leaving a higher amount of money for the country to spend
on their citizens, along with the high internet uses per 100 people. This shows
that the South has more freedom than the North along with the freedom of press
in South Korea being much higher. This shows the stranglehold that North Korea
has over it's citizens because of the fact that they aren't allowed much
freedom in the country. North Korea has a higher military expenditure,
conveying the priorities of the country as opposed to the welfare of the
citizens . South Korea has more care for their citizens as opposed to North
Korea who are more military focused and oriented.
Figure 5.1: Map showing major landmarks
Source: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R41481.pdf
Figure 5.1 on the left is a simple map highlighting the main cities of both North and South Korea and major landmarks such as the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and the Han river. Using the legend, the red dot denotes the area where a South Korean ship, the Cheonan carrying 104 people was sunk by a torpedo fired by a North Korean midget submarine killing 46 people in the process. Consequently South Korea ceased all trading with North Korea and forbid its ship from entering southern waters.
Source: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R41481.pdf
Figure 5.1 on the left is a simple map highlighting the main cities of both North and South Korea and major landmarks such as the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and the Han river. Using the legend, the red dot denotes the area where a South Korean ship, the Cheonan carrying 104 people was sunk by a torpedo fired by a North Korean midget submarine killing 46 people in the process. Consequently South Korea ceased all trading with North Korea and forbid its ship from entering southern waters.
Figure 5.2: Comparison of North Korean imports and exports
Source: http://media.mcclatchydc.com/smedia/2010/05/24/18/20100524_N_Korea_trade.wide_photo.prod_affiliate.91.jpg
Figure 5.2 above is a visual representation of South Korea's impact on the trade coming in and out of North Korea using statistics from 2008. From the pie charts, it is is clear that South Korea is North Korea's largest partner in exporting only 4% behind China. Much like exports, South Korea is also second in imports and by putting a total trade ban on the North Koreans the South have detrimentally affected the North. The economy of the North without the South's contributions would almost totally be reliant on China's imports and exports and a major disaster to China would almost certainly cripple North Korea as their main source of both imports and exports comes from China due to the total trade ban implemented by South Korea
Source: http://media.mcclatchydc.com/smedia/2010/05/24/18/20100524_N_Korea_trade.wide_photo.prod_affiliate.91.jpg
Figure 5.2 above is a visual representation of South Korea's impact on the trade coming in and out of North Korea using statistics from 2008. From the pie charts, it is is clear that South Korea is North Korea's largest partner in exporting only 4% behind China. Much like exports, South Korea is also second in imports and by putting a total trade ban on the North Koreans the South have detrimentally affected the North. The economy of the North without the South's contributions would almost totally be reliant on China's imports and exports and a major disaster to China would almost certainly cripple North Korea as their main source of both imports and exports comes from China due to the total trade ban implemented by South Korea
Figure 5.3: Line graph denoting Per Capita GDP trends of South and North KoreaSource: http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/286215/south-korea-vs-north-korea-gdp-edition-veronique-de-rugy
Figure 5.3 above is a line graph showing the Per Capita GDP growth of North and South Korea. Under the rule of the 2 dictators Kim II Sung and Kim Jong iI, North Korea has had a drastically different economic policy to the one implemented in the South. During the time of 1970, the two countries were roughly the same until the 1975-1976 period where the two countries went in two different directions with the South growing and the North staying stagnant. The economy then remained stagnant going in a flat line until 1994 when Kim Jong il took over as leader where the economy dropped even further evident by the slight decline of the blue line of the graph denoting North Korea, placing emphasis on how the communist state of North Korea detrimentally affected the greater good of the nation. In comparison, South Korea grew at a steady rate until 1996, by which time it had doubled its Per Capita GDP however during 1996 to 1997 it suffered a sharp decline but since then the Per Capita GDP has grown following the same trend as before. Looking at the trend of the graph it is not unreasonable to assume that the economy of North Korea continued to drop as Kim Jong il's reign continued until 2011 and the graph only shows the decline until 2002.
Figure 5.3 above is a line graph showing the Per Capita GDP growth of North and South Korea. Under the rule of the 2 dictators Kim II Sung and Kim Jong iI, North Korea has had a drastically different economic policy to the one implemented in the South. During the time of 1970, the two countries were roughly the same until the 1975-1976 period where the two countries went in two different directions with the South growing and the North staying stagnant. The economy then remained stagnant going in a flat line until 1994 when Kim Jong il took over as leader where the economy dropped even further evident by the slight decline of the blue line of the graph denoting North Korea, placing emphasis on how the communist state of North Korea detrimentally affected the greater good of the nation. In comparison, South Korea grew at a steady rate until 1996, by which time it had doubled its Per Capita GDP however during 1996 to 1997 it suffered a sharp decline but since then the Per Capita GDP has grown following the same trend as before. Looking at the trend of the graph it is not unreasonable to assume that the economy of North Korea continued to drop as Kim Jong il's reign continued until 2011 and the graph only shows the decline until 2002.