10 North Korea Facts - WMNews Ep. 5
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
Script written by Angela Fafard
It's a leftover of the Cold War living in modern times; will it be able to survive or will it collapse under the pressure? Welcome to WatchMojo News, the weekly series from http://www.WatchMojo.com that breaks down news stories that might be on your radar. In this instalment, we're counting down 10 crucial facts you should know about North Korea.
It's a leftover of the Cold War living in modern times; will it be able to survive or will it collapse under the pressure? Welcome to WatchMojo News, the weekly series from http://www.WatchMojo.com that breaks down news stories that might be on your radar. In this instalment, we're counting down 10 crucial facts you should know about North Korea.
Script written by Angela Fafard
#10: Why Was North Korea Created?
In the early-20th century, after Korea enjoyed a short period of independence, the country endured the Russo-Japanese War over control of the area. Finally, in 1910, Korea was annexed by Japan. However, by the end of World War II – when a defeated Japan ceded power over Korea to the Allies – tensions had risen between the Soviet and Chinese Communist-backed Northern section and the United States-supported Southern half. When a resolution was not found by 1948, the country was officially split along the 38th parallel, creating the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – or DPRK – in the north and the Republic of Korea in the south. Residual friction and the existing Cold War resulted in the beginning of the Korean War on June 25th, 1950. Since the war’s cease fire in 1953, South Korea has evolved into a more liberal and democratic nation, while North Korea is generally considered to be ruled via dictatorship, with control passed down from generation to generation.
#9: Who Lives in the DPRK?
In general, the population of almost 25-million North Koreans is homogeneous, with only small pockets of Chinese and Japanese populaces. However, that number is far lower than experts had predicted: because of a three-year famine that began in 1995, North Korea’s expected population growth to 28-million by 2010 never took place, as between 240-thousand and 3.5-million people died as a result of malnutrition. This disaster was finally brought under control with the help of large international food donations from the World Food Program.
#8: How Are North-South Korean Relations Today?
Technically, as a formal peace treaty was never signed by either side of the Korean War, North and South Korea are still at war today. This has led to periodic flare-ups along the line that divides the two Koreas, and along the sea borders. Each country regularly accuses one another of violating the boundaries set forth, with occasional warning shots being fired. While both sides engage in mild skirmishes, less common are exchanges of fire as these neighbors both benefit from a heavily armed military. After the turn of the new millennium, tensions had largely subsided. However, the ascension of president Lee Myung-Bak in the South and Kim Jong-un in the North effectively ended the period of peace, as President Lee disapproved of the North’s nuclear program, and Kim suggested he’d bomb South Korea.
#7: Culture of North Korea
With a human rights record that’s been broadly denounced, North Korea is a country that prohibits free speech and restricts human rights. Only radio, TV, news and music producers accepted by the government are allowed to operate within the country’s borders, where they are forced into labor, beaten, tortured or killed. Foreigners entering the country are watched closely by accompanying government officials. But that’s still better treatment than the government gives its own citizens: they cannot legally leave the country at all. Those who have managed to escape and defect have helped the outside piece together a picture of a country isolated within the modern world.
#6: Have There Been Any Recent Developments?
American prisoner Jeffrey Fowle was arrested after he’d left a Bible in a public place while traveling in North Korea, and in October 2014, he was unexpectedly released. Less than a month later, on November 8th, 2014, Kim Jong-un ordered the release of two more Americans, Christian missionary Kenneth Bae, who’d been sentenced to several years in prison for allegedly planning to overthrow the North Korean government, and Matthew Todd Miller, who’d been jailed for supposed “unruly behavior.” Bae and Miller were let go when President Barack Obama sent a high-ranking member of his administration, U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, to secure their release.
#5: How Is the Government of the DPRK Set Up?
Following their ideology of self-reliance, North Korea has been ruled by the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) since 1949. The country has had a constantly evolving constitution since 1948, which defines the DPRK as a socialist state and a quote “dictatorship of people’s democracy.” Though basic civil ad political rights are protected by the constitution, its effect on things like freedom of speech or religion is not widely enforced. The most recent amendments to the constitution were made in 2012, when both Kim Jong-il’s legacy and North Korea’s status as a nuclear-armed state were put in writing.
#4: Is the DPRK Militarized?
North Korea, or the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), has an active nuclear weapons program and mines containing scores of high-grade uranium – both of which are troubling to the international community. They’ve successful tested their nuclear explosive devices on several occasions, including in 2006, 2009 and 2013. Amid tightened UN sanctions and consistent negotiations between North Korea and U.S., Russia, China, Japan and South Korea, it seems that the North Korean regime has no plans to end their nuclear ambitions.
#3: Can I Do Business in North Korea?
North Korea’s is one of the world’s least open economies, and therefore the country faces persistent financial problems. The region’s failure to invest sufficient funds or resources in industry for several years and overspending on the military has left citizens wanting. As a way of promoting outside investment in North Korea, the regime expanded its special economic zones in 2013 to bolster the stalled economy.
#2: Who Is the Leader of North Korea?
Following the death of his father Kim Jong-il on December 17th, 2011, Kim Jong-un ascended to power in North Korea, eventually being named Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army and First Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, among other titles. Like his father before him, and his father before him, Kim enjoys an unparalleled cult of personality that surrounds him, with mythology surrounding his family, birth and life. Those who do not show deference to the administration are rigidly penalized. Perhaps most strange is the fact that Kim Jong-un has recently developed a friendship with former NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman, who calls Kim his “friend for life.”
#1: What is the Future of North Korea?
Though much of Asia boasts a robust economy, growth, long-term planning and military might, North Korea is seen as a backwards country on the brink of change – either total collapse or evolution to a new society. Though it’s nicknamed the “Hermit Kingdom,” this remnant of the Cold War faces several challenges as it continues to support its policy of suppression and isolation: new information sources like black-market radios and cell phones find their way into the country, bringing with them a greater knowledge of the “outside world.” However, if the regime were to collapse, so would the economy, necessitating unrivaled funding in terms of humanitarian aid from the international community. As power shifts in Asia, the status quo is challenged, and North Korea has the choice to adapt or face the consequences.
Did these facts surprise you? To vote for which news story is covered next, head over to WatchMojo.com/suggest, and be sure to hit that subscribe button for more newsworthy top 10s every week.
Top 10 North Korea Facts
#10: Why Was North Korea Created?
History
In the early-20th century, after Korea enjoyed a short period of independence, the country endured the Russo-Japanese War over control of the area. Finally, in 1910, Korea was annexed by Japan. However, by the end of World War II – when a defeated Japan ceded power over Korea to the Allies – tensions had risen between the Soviet and Chinese Communist-backed Northern section and the United States-supported Southern half. When a resolution was not found by 1948, the country was officially split along the 38th parallel, creating the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – or DPRK – in the north and the Republic of Korea in the south. Residual friction and the existing Cold War resulted in the beginning of the Korean War on June 25th, 1950. Since the war’s cease fire in 1953, South Korea has evolved into a more liberal and democratic nation, while North Korea is generally considered to be ruled via dictatorship, with control passed down from generation to generation.
#9: Who Lives in the DPRK?
Homogenous Population & Famine
In general, the population of almost 25-million North Koreans is homogeneous, with only small pockets of Chinese and Japanese populaces. However, that number is far lower than experts had predicted: because of a three-year famine that began in 1995, North Korea’s expected population growth to 28-million by 2010 never took place, as between 240-thousand and 3.5-million people died as a result of malnutrition. This disaster was finally brought under control with the help of large international food donations from the World Food Program.
#8: How Are North-South Korean Relations Today?
Tensions Between the Koreas
Technically, as a formal peace treaty was never signed by either side of the Korean War, North and South Korea are still at war today. This has led to periodic flare-ups along the line that divides the two Koreas, and along the sea borders. Each country regularly accuses one another of violating the boundaries set forth, with occasional warning shots being fired. While both sides engage in mild skirmishes, less common are exchanges of fire as these neighbors both benefit from a heavily armed military. After the turn of the new millennium, tensions had largely subsided. However, the ascension of president Lee Myung-Bak in the South and Kim Jong-un in the North effectively ended the period of peace, as President Lee disapproved of the North’s nuclear program, and Kim suggested he’d bomb South Korea.
#7: Culture of North Korea
Human Rights Restrictions
With a human rights record that’s been broadly denounced, North Korea is a country that prohibits free speech and restricts human rights. Only radio, TV, news and music producers accepted by the government are allowed to operate within the country’s borders, where they are forced into labor, beaten, tortured or killed. Foreigners entering the country are watched closely by accompanying government officials. But that’s still better treatment than the government gives its own citizens: they cannot legally leave the country at all. Those who have managed to escape and defect have helped the outside piece together a picture of a country isolated within the modern world.
#6: Have There Been Any Recent Developments?
Hostages
American prisoner Jeffrey Fowle was arrested after he’d left a Bible in a public place while traveling in North Korea, and in October 2014, he was unexpectedly released. Less than a month later, on November 8th, 2014, Kim Jong-un ordered the release of two more Americans, Christian missionary Kenneth Bae, who’d been sentenced to several years in prison for allegedly planning to overthrow the North Korean government, and Matthew Todd Miller, who’d been jailed for supposed “unruly behavior.” Bae and Miller were let go when President Barack Obama sent a high-ranking member of his administration, U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, to secure their release.
#5: How Is the Government of the DPRK Set Up?
Centralized & Self-Contained
Following their ideology of self-reliance, North Korea has been ruled by the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) since 1949. The country has had a constantly evolving constitution since 1948, which defines the DPRK as a socialist state and a quote “dictatorship of people’s democracy.” Though basic civil ad political rights are protected by the constitution, its effect on things like freedom of speech or religion is not widely enforced. The most recent amendments to the constitution were made in 2012, when both Kim Jong-il’s legacy and North Korea’s status as a nuclear-armed state were put in writing.
#4: Is the DPRK Militarized?
Nuclear Armament
North Korea, or the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), has an active nuclear weapons program and mines containing scores of high-grade uranium – both of which are troubling to the international community. They’ve successful tested their nuclear explosive devices on several occasions, including in 2006, 2009 and 2013. Amid tightened UN sanctions and consistent negotiations between North Korea and U.S., Russia, China, Japan and South Korea, it seems that the North Korean regime has no plans to end their nuclear ambitions.
#3: Can I Do Business in North Korea?
Economic Restrictions
North Korea’s is one of the world’s least open economies, and therefore the country faces persistent financial problems. The region’s failure to invest sufficient funds or resources in industry for several years and overspending on the military has left citizens wanting. As a way of promoting outside investment in North Korea, the regime expanded its special economic zones in 2013 to bolster the stalled economy.
#2: Who Is the Leader of North Korea?
Supreme Leader
Following the death of his father Kim Jong-il on December 17th, 2011, Kim Jong-un ascended to power in North Korea, eventually being named Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army and First Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, among other titles. Like his father before him, and his father before him, Kim enjoys an unparalleled cult of personality that surrounds him, with mythology surrounding his family, birth and life. Those who do not show deference to the administration are rigidly penalized. Perhaps most strange is the fact that Kim Jong-un has recently developed a friendship with former NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman, who calls Kim his “friend for life.”
#1: What is the Future of North Korea?
Open Society
Though much of Asia boasts a robust economy, growth, long-term planning and military might, North Korea is seen as a backwards country on the brink of change – either total collapse or evolution to a new society. Though it’s nicknamed the “Hermit Kingdom,” this remnant of the Cold War faces several challenges as it continues to support its policy of suppression and isolation: new information sources like black-market radios and cell phones find their way into the country, bringing with them a greater knowledge of the “outside world.” However, if the regime were to collapse, so would the economy, necessitating unrivaled funding in terms of humanitarian aid from the international community. As power shifts in Asia, the status quo is challenged, and North Korea has the choice to adapt or face the consequences.
Did these facts surprise you? To vote for which news story is covered next, head over to WatchMojo.com/suggest, and be sure to hit that subscribe button for more newsworthy top 10s every week.
