1. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) also known as North Korea is a communist country that is still in a state of war with the United States. This background paper outlines DPRK’s economics and resources, politics and social relations and US interests in the country.
2. North Korea is notable for its lack of a stable economy. The government causes economic duress to its citizens by punishing market activities.3 Citizens who want to partake in market activities are required to pay bribes or face hard labor in penal institutions or reform through labor camps. 4 For financial perspective, the country’s GDP is estimated to be $40 billion US dollars as of 2014.5 Its top export partners are China at 65 percent and South Korea at 27 percent.6 As of 2013, DPRK imports $5.2 billion worth of goods which include petroleum, coking coal, machinery and equipment, textiles and grain.6 Its top import partners are China at 68 percent of goods and South Korea at 22 percent. However, note that “North Korea does not publish reliable National Income Accounts data” …show more content…
Politically, DPRK has been commended multiple times for their actions. Recently, they were condemned for the nuclear tested performed early this year.5 Also, the United Nations Humans Council created a group the Commission of Inquiry to investigate North Korea’s human rights violations.6 The results published by the group were devastating. They concluded that the DPK government has committed systematic human right abuses including, extermination, murder, enslavement, torture imprisonment, rape, forced abortions and the sexual
2. North Korea is notable for its lack of a stable economy. The government causes economic duress to its citizens by punishing market activities.3 Citizens who want to partake in market activities are required to pay bribes or face hard labor in penal institutions or reform through labor camps. 4 For financial perspective, the country’s GDP is estimated to be $40 billion US dollars as of 2014.5 Its top export partners are China at 65 percent and South Korea at 27 percent.6 As of 2013, DPRK imports $5.2 billion worth of goods which include petroleum, coking coal, machinery and equipment, textiles and grain.6 Its top import partners are China at 68 percent of goods and South Korea at 22 percent. However, note that “North Korea does not publish reliable National Income Accounts data” …show more content…
Politically, DPRK has been commended multiple times for their actions. Recently, they were condemned for the nuclear tested performed early this year.5 Also, the United Nations Humans Council created a group the Commission of Inquiry to investigate North Korea’s human rights violations.6 The results published by the group were devastating. They concluded that the DPK government has committed systematic human right abuses including, extermination, murder, enslavement, torture imprisonment, rape, forced abortions and the sexual