Post World War 2, the Korean peninsula was divided into two
countries, and each of these countries had different political ideologies, and
hence the Korean region was divided into two countries. Both countries were
separated in 1948, with each country hoping for freedom and unity however this
has been a forgotten pipe dream for North Korea (Federal Research Divison,
2007). Following the Korean War, and hence the division of the
region 5000 North Koreans migrated towards South Korea up until the turn of the
century. North Korea is a totalitarian, communist regime within Southern Asia.
It is one of the few countries under nominal communist rule, and has remained as
one of the world’s most secretive societies. Following it’s creation, North
Korea was rapt with controversy as Kim-Il Sung dominated political affairs for
almost half a century. The rigid state-controlled system has led to stagnation
in development and an overreliance on the leadership of the state, often being
kept within the family, similar to an imperial rule. Despite the image of
prosperity that the country promotes, there is a chaotic structure of government
inherent in the country, of which relies heavily on aid from other countries to
feed its people. (BBC, 2013) Furthermore, various humanitarian organisations have estimated
that there have been 2 million deaths due to food shortages, with North Koreans
relying on grass, bark and bugs to sustain their diets. (Lee, 2013). North
Korea maintains a symbiotic relationship with China, as they were the major
supporter of the regime during the 1990’s, as this was a time of turbulence for
the country. However, South Korea, China, USA are all involved in Six Party
Talks, with each country hoping to denuclearise North Korea. However, North
Korea has stalled talks in order to receive aid and foreign aid into their
country, which opposes the communist manifesto. North Korea has refused to
disarm the country, as they believe the threat of invasion is plausible and
high. North Korea still has a relatively low human rights score, and the regime
was noted at having committed several serious abuses.
countries, and each of these countries had different political ideologies, and
hence the Korean region was divided into two countries. Both countries were
separated in 1948, with each country hoping for freedom and unity however this
has been a forgotten pipe dream for North Korea (Federal Research Divison,
2007). Following the Korean War, and hence the division of the
region 5000 North Koreans migrated towards South Korea up until the turn of the
century. North Korea is a totalitarian, communist regime within Southern Asia.
It is one of the few countries under nominal communist rule, and has remained as
one of the world’s most secretive societies. Following it’s creation, North
Korea was rapt with controversy as Kim-Il Sung dominated political affairs for
almost half a century. The rigid state-controlled system has led to stagnation
in development and an overreliance on the leadership of the state, often being
kept within the family, similar to an imperial rule. Despite the image of
prosperity that the country promotes, there is a chaotic structure of government
inherent in the country, of which relies heavily on aid from other countries to
feed its people. (BBC, 2013) Furthermore, various humanitarian organisations have estimated
that there have been 2 million deaths due to food shortages, with North Koreans
relying on grass, bark and bugs to sustain their diets. (Lee, 2013). North
Korea maintains a symbiotic relationship with China, as they were the major
supporter of the regime during the 1990’s, as this was a time of turbulence for
the country. However, South Korea, China, USA are all involved in Six Party
Talks, with each country hoping to denuclearise North Korea. However, North
Korea has stalled talks in order to receive aid and foreign aid into their
country, which opposes the communist manifesto. North Korea has refused to
disarm the country, as they believe the threat of invasion is plausible and
high. North Korea still has a relatively low human rights score, and the regime
was noted at having committed several serious abuses.
Figure 2: The North Korean region
source: http://www.economist.com/news/china/21571916-north-koreas-nuclear-test-fails-disrupt-flourishing-trade-along-its-border-crystal-meth-and
From Figure 2, we can see the Southern Asian region. North Korea separates China from
South Korea, leaving a sense of stability as the threat of invasion is much
lower. The Nuclear test site of this year is labelled, and the nuclear missile
was fired at South Korea. The entire North Korean region is noted at having committed several human rights abuses, often denying citizens freedoms that are granted in a communsit state. The country has little social justice, instead the majority of wealth is funnelled back to the government, who are corrupt. The river between North Korea and China provides a natural barrier, and evidently at some points along this river there are
structural weaknesses, leaving the prospect of defection to be extremely high.
source: http://www.economist.com/news/china/21571916-north-koreas-nuclear-test-fails-disrupt-flourishing-trade-along-its-border-crystal-meth-and
From Figure 2, we can see the Southern Asian region. North Korea separates China from
South Korea, leaving a sense of stability as the threat of invasion is much
lower. The Nuclear test site of this year is labelled, and the nuclear missile
was fired at South Korea. The entire North Korean region is noted at having committed several human rights abuses, often denying citizens freedoms that are granted in a communsit state. The country has little social justice, instead the majority of wealth is funnelled back to the government, who are corrupt. The river between North Korea and China provides a natural barrier, and evidently at some points along this river there are
structural weaknesses, leaving the prospect of defection to be extremely high.
The human rights abuses committed by the regime are;
- Extrajudicial killings, disappearances and arbitrary detentions, including that of political
prisoners
- Prison conditions are harsh and threatening and torture is common
- Pregnant female prisoners are forced to undergo abortions and in some cases infants are killed at the prisons
- Justice system is not independent and doesn’t often provide fair trials
- Justice system has little transparency and trials are conducted in private
- Citizens are denied freedom of speech, assembly of the press, as well as association with press whilst the government controls all information
- Government restricts religion, citizens movement and worker’s rights such as unions
- Repatriated refugees undergo torture
- Political prisoners, opponents of the regime, defectors and military officers caught with treason often undergo harsh treatment and are tortured
- Foreigners who are caught are subject to prison camps where deprivation, torture and other inhumane treatments are common
- Human experimentation common amongst defectors, as they are seen as enemies of the state. Human experimentation utilises chemical or biological agents.
- Reports of trafficking women and children into China to become wives and concubines.
The system of government is noted at having a poor human right’s
rating, often denying basic rights and freedoms to its citizens. The government
maintains strict control and power over its people, controlling every aspect of
the life of the citizens.
The quality of life in North Korea is sustained through the
worshipping of the regime of the government. However, the quality of life for
the poor and less privileged within North Korea has decreased, despite the
modern “Western”take on life within North Korea. The Western influence is seen
in the introduction of bowling allies and various other entertainment aspects,
however pirated South Korean dramas are traded illegally between the less
privileged. The degraded quality of life has resulted in more defectors leaving
to China, often seeking refuge whilst Chinese authorities attempt to capture and
interrogate them.
- Extrajudicial killings, disappearances and arbitrary detentions, including that of political
prisoners
- Prison conditions are harsh and threatening and torture is common
- Pregnant female prisoners are forced to undergo abortions and in some cases infants are killed at the prisons
- Justice system is not independent and doesn’t often provide fair trials
- Justice system has little transparency and trials are conducted in private
- Citizens are denied freedom of speech, assembly of the press, as well as association with press whilst the government controls all information
- Government restricts religion, citizens movement and worker’s rights such as unions
- Repatriated refugees undergo torture
- Political prisoners, opponents of the regime, defectors and military officers caught with treason often undergo harsh treatment and are tortured
- Foreigners who are caught are subject to prison camps where deprivation, torture and other inhumane treatments are common
- Human experimentation common amongst defectors, as they are seen as enemies of the state. Human experimentation utilises chemical or biological agents.
- Reports of trafficking women and children into China to become wives and concubines.
The system of government is noted at having a poor human right’s
rating, often denying basic rights and freedoms to its citizens. The government
maintains strict control and power over its people, controlling every aspect of
the life of the citizens.
The quality of life in North Korea is sustained through the
worshipping of the regime of the government. However, the quality of life for
the poor and less privileged within North Korea has decreased, despite the
modern “Western”take on life within North Korea. The Western influence is seen
in the introduction of bowling allies and various other entertainment aspects,
however pirated South Korean dramas are traded illegally between the less
privileged. The degraded quality of life has resulted in more defectors leaving
to China, often seeking refuge whilst Chinese authorities attempt to capture and
interrogate them.