The Republic Of North Korea: A Brief Overview ✓ Solved

The Republic of North Korea: A Brief Overview

The Republic of North Korea is a state that is being led by President Kim Jon Un. The state’s official language is Korean, and it has its capital named Pyongyang. The state’s religion is the State atheist. The leadership is totalitarian, which is different from democratic states. It is a one-party state that does not allow multipartyism or even different opinions.

North Korea is located geographically in eastern Asia, where it borders South Korea. The state’s population is around 24 million people, with a population density of 212 per square kilometer. The state shares its borders with China, Russia, and South Korea to the south. Characterized by valleys and mountains, North Korea has an average elevation of 1,000 meters above sea level in the northeast, with the tallest mountain being the Paektu, which stands at 2,750 meters.

Demographically, North Korea is predominantly homogeneous, with approximately 24 million people as per the 2008 census. The population distribution shows a density of 212 persons per square kilometer. The Korean ethnic group constitutes the vast majority, while the Chinese population accounted for just 0.2% in 1999. The demographic growth rate stands at 0.84%, with higher rates of birth at 14.51 per 1,000 people. The death rate stands at 9.18 per 1,000 people, which raises concerns. The average life expectancy for North Koreans is 69.81 years, with females outliving males (73.86 years compared to 65.96 years).

The fertility rate is 1.98 children per female, and the infant mortality rate is 24.5 deaths per 100 live births according to 2014 statistics. The demographic structure indicates that 69% of the population is between 15 and 64 years old, with 23% aged 0-14 and 9% over 64 years. The net migration rate is negative at -0.04 per 1,000 heads.

Economically, North Korea has a centrally planned economy with limited market allocation schemes. In 2016, the country's GDP was recorded at $28.5 billion, translating to a gross domestic product per capita of $1,300, categorizing it as a low-income economy. North Korea’s economy relies on exporting metallurgical products, minerals, textiles, fish, and agricultural produce. However, most economic data are opaque due to the government's secrecy, as the economy is controlled by the state rather than market forces.

North Korean culture is fundamentally traditional but has evolved since 1948 under the Juche ideologies. It emphasizes the powers of the productive masses, fostering hard work and creativity despite being rooted in socialist principles. The totalitarian government of Kim Jon Un severely restricts personal expression, leading to a homogenized identity primarily composed of Koreans and a negligible Chinese presence.

The North Korean government consists of three arms: the judicial, the administrative, and the legislative, all of which are not independent and are under the control of the president. Kim Jon Un is the supreme leader, and all governmental decisions are dictated by him. His rule relies upon the support of the military and elite factions. The leadership style is patronage-driven, resulting in the suppression of individual freedoms and extensive control over military and nuclear development.

North Korea contrasts sharply with democratic nations such as France. The French government allows for elections and capitalist interactions where market forces govern trade. In contrast, the North Korean system is dictatorial, lacking freedoms of expression and press, and neglecting basic human rights.

Paper For Above Instructions

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), commonly known as North Korea, is a secretive and controversial state. It occupies the northern part of the Korean peninsula and is internationally known for its strict authoritarian regime, governing under the leadership of Kim Jong Un. This paper will delve into the socio-economic structures, demographic statistics, and cultural nuances of North Korea while drawing comparisons with democratic nations.

North Korea is characterized by an oppressive political structure, where the ruling Workers' Party maintains strict control over all aspects of life. The population density of about 212 individuals per square kilometer reflects a moderately populated area, primarily made up of ethnic Koreans. The state's estimated population of 24 million people, however, is proving to be stagnant, with a low growth rate of 0.84% which may indicate various socio-economic constraints that the regime imposes (KOSIS, 2020).

The economy of North Korea is one that is centrally planned. Predominantly agricultural yet severely hampered by decades of mismanagement and lack of global economic integration, it has seen GDP growth stagnate at an estimated $28.5 billion in 2016 (World Bank, 2017). With a GDP per capita of $1,300, it ranks among the world’s poorest economies, primarily subsisting on exports of natural resources coupled with a minimal manufacturing sector (Gao, 2019).

Socially, North Korea is beset with significant human rights concerns. The regime employs widespread surveillance and censorship to maintain its grip on power, preventing any dissension from its citizens. This totalitarian governance starkly contrasts with democratic countries like France, where freedom of expression and press is upheld. While French citizens actively participate in electoral exercises and government criticisms, North Koreans live in fear of government retribution, effectively stifling independent thought (Faure & Négrier, 2018).

Life expectancy in North Korea, as of 2014 data, stands at 69.81 years. Variances between genders show females living longer at 73.86 years compared to males' 65.96 years. This discrepancy often highlights underlying health care discrepancies and societal expectations pertaining to gender roles within the tightly controlled environment (UNICEF, 2016). Furthermore, the fertility rate of 1.98 births per woman reflects broader trends in countries under economic distress where family planning becomes vital for survival.

The demographic structure of North Korea also poses critical questions regarding its long-term sustainability. Over 69% of the populace is aged between 15 and 64 years. This demographic can be seen as both an asset and a liability—potentially a driving labor force but also indicative of the need for substantial youth support (KOSIS, 2020). Conversely, 23% of citizens are aged 0-14 and 9% are above 64 years, raising concerns around adequate health services and educational systems within the confines of a struggling economy.

The cultural identity in North Korea is shaped by the registered Juche ideology, advocating for self-reliance and independence, while allowing for very little room for creativity outside the prescribed norms (Hong, 2020). The citizens live under heavily curated content that suppresses their ability to critique the regime, posing alarming challenges to personal identity and community cohesion. As a nation predominantly comprised of Koreans with minimal foreign influence, the cultural fabric remains largely unchanged yet internally oppressive (Macdonald, 2018).

With its nuclear ambitions colliding with international norms and raising security concerns, North Korea’s global standing remains precariously precarious. The totalitarian regime under Kim Jong Un seeks to establish itself as a total power structure relatively detached from global alliances or partnerships. Yet, in this pursuit, it often sacrifices the welfare of its people in favor of military expansion and technocratic development. This raises questions about the viability of such a regime in a progressively interconnected world.

In conclusion, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea presents a unique case of governing where state control supplants individual freedoms and aspirations. The stark contrasts drawn from democratic frameworks such as those in France elucidate the potential outcomes of self-determination, liberty, and economic prosperity that remain elusive in Kim Jong Un’s North Korea. Acknowledging these disparities opens the door to further discussions on human rights advocacy and the ever-important debate surrounding the future of North Korean citizens.

References

• Faure, A., & Négrier, E. (2018). Policy Analysis in France.
• Gao, B. (2019). China's Economic Engagement in North Korea, 73-109.
• Hong, C. (2020). North Korea in Asian American literature and culture. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Literature.
• KOSIS. (2020). Statistical data on North Korea.
• UNICEF. (2016). Child Mortality Estimates: North Korea data.
• World Bank. (2017). North Korea Economic Overview.
• Macdonald, D. S. (2018). The Koreans.
• Map of North Korea. Talking to North Korea. (n.d.).