THE HermIt

KINGDOM
The Case of Sanctions and Isolation of North Korea
at Present
 HIST
O RY
The
The
Hermit 1910- The 38th 1953- Isolatio 1994-
1948 Korean
Kingdo 1945 Parallel 1970s n 2016
War
m

North
Japanes and Building
The
1500- e 1945- South 1950- a 1970-
Nuclear
1900s coloniza 1948 Korea 1953 Stalinist 1990s
era
ti-on distinct state
states

Alfred (2017) & Green

(2017)
 Origi
ns
 Korea has had a long history of self-isolation, even before the
Korean Peninsula was divided into two countries in the 20th
century.
 The Choson dynasty kept the country isolated from the outside
world, both as to:
(1) fend off foreign invasions and in the
(2) belief of superiority in their Confucian culture.
 Korea was nicknamed the Hermit Kingdom in the 19th century
by Western powers who were shunned by Korea as they
advanced into Asia for trade and conquest.
 Korea did fall into foreign hands in the 20th century, and the
ensuing wars only reinforced the North’s isolation.
Alfred
(2017)
 Origi
ns
 After the defeat of the Japanese, Korea was divided into
American- and Soviet-controlled territories, an
arrangement meant to be temporary.
 Both the US and Soviet Union never reached a permanent
deal, and two separate governments emerged.
 North and South Korea went to war in 1950, backed by
their respective allies.
 The Korean War was devastating, and an armistice left
the two technically still at war and in a constant state of
tension.
 The North felt vulnerable and surrounded.
Alfred
(2017)
 I S O L AT
ION
“North Korea is a society with a permanent siege mentality.
It has lived under a constant threat of war since the 1950s.
State propaganda continuously reinforces the threat of attack
from the Americans and the danger of revived Japanese
militarism. This modern state of insecurity is built upon an
older history of colonialism and traditional isolation to create
an attitude of profound suspicion of the outside world. The
collapse of the Soviet Union and other communist states
made North Korea even more isolated, and also contributed to
economic disaster and famine in the 1990s.”
- Charles Armstrong (2003), Historian and Professor

PBS
(2003)
 JUC

H E
Kim Il Sung developed a theory of self-reliance, or
Juche in Korean, that remains the country’s official
ideology today.
 He laid out three principles:
1. political independence,
2. economic self-reliance and
3. military autonomy.
 Juche was also used to justify the regime’s continuing
isolation from even fellow socialist states, as well as
the personality cult of its leaders.
Alfred
(2017)
 SANCTI
ONS
 North Korea has undertaken a broad range of activities over
the years that has drawn international condemnation in the
form of sanctions.
 The fifteen-member UN Security Council has passed nearly a
dozen resolutions, all unanimously, condemning North Korea
for its nuclear pursuits and imposing sanctions. 
 The United States has imposed unilateral sanctions  that
restrict more economic activities and targeted individuals
and businesses to impede Pyongyang’s development of (1)
missile and nuclear technology, (2) cyberattacks, (3) human
rights violations, (4) censorship, and (5) money laundering.

Albert
(2019)
 POLITICAL

S I G
To its citizens:
N I F I C A N C E
“The rule of North Korean leaders has always relied
on absolute control over the flow of information in and
out of the country… At a time of tough sanctions,
North Korea is likely to see its isolation from the world
as being imposed by what it calls its enemies.”

- Arnold Fang (2016)

East Asia Researcher, Amnesty International
Green,
2017
 POLITICAL
SIGNIFICANCE
 To the international community:
“There have been some hopeful indications that Pyongyang
might reconsider its isolationism, including increased
dialogue with the South… Some see signs of a charm
offensive with the West, while Japan and Russia have also
spotted an opportunity to improve relations. China… is growing
increasingly frustrated with Pyongyang’s belligerence…
North Korea might lose some of Beijing’s protection, which
partially insulates the country from international pressure.”
- Charlotte Alfred (2017)
World Reporter, The Huffington Post

Alfred,
2017
 Economic

I m
To its citizens:
p l i c a t i o n s
“North Korea technically has a centrally planned
economy, but now people’s lives revolve around the
market. No one expects the government to provide
things anymore. Everyone has to find their own way to
survive.”

- 대학생 (2017)
University Student (escaped in 2013)
Fiefield,
2017
 Economic

I m p l i c a t
To the international community:
i o n s
“They want to talk with the U.S., they want aid from
the outside world, they want to break out of deadlock
and stagnation – but without giving up nuclear
weapons.”

- Choi Jin-Wook (2014)

Senior Researcher, Korea Institute of National
Reunification
Salmon,
2014
 social

I m
To its citizens:
p l i c a t i o n s
“…continued to intensify repression, increased control
over the North Korean border with China to prevent
North Koreans from escaping and seeking refuge
overseas, and tightened restrictions on freedom of
movement inside the country. The government also
punished those found with unauthorized information
from outside the country—including news, films, and
photos—and used public executions to generate fearful
obedience…”
- Human Rights Watch (2015)
Sonawane,
2017
 social

I m p l i c a t
To the international community:
i o n s
“In a country that is often described as the most
repressive in the world, human rights should be a
central feature of all discussions and negotiations.
Whatever the outcome of nuclear talks, human rights-
related sanctions should remain in effect until North
Korea changes the way it treats its people.”
- Brad Adams (2018)
Asia Director, Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch
(2018)
 REFERE

NCES
Albert, E. (2019, July 16). What to Know About Sanctions on North Korea . Retrieved from Council on
Foreign Relations: https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-know-about-sanctions-north-korea
 Alfred, C. (2017, December 6). How North Korea Became So Isolated . Retrieved from HuffPost:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/north-korea-history-isolation_n_5991000
 Fang, A. (2016, March 15). North Korea’s Self-Imposed Isolation . Retrieved from The Diplomat:
https://thediplomat.com/2016/03/north-koreas-self-imposed-isolation/
 Fiefield, A. (2017, November 17). Life under Kim Jong Un . Retrieved from Washington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/world/north-korea-defectors/
 Green, M. (2017, April 25). A Brief History of North Korea and How it Became One of America's Biggest
Threats (with Lesson Plan). Retrieved from KQED: https://www.kqed.org/lowdown/26701/how-
north-korea-became-a-rogue- state-a- brief-history-with-lesson-plan
 Human Rights Watch. (2018, May 30). North Korea: Retain Human Rights Sanctions . Retrieved from
Human Rights Watch: https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/05/30/north-korea-retain-human-rights-sanctions
 PBS. (2003, April 10). Kim's Nuclear Gamble - Some Historical Perspective . Retrieved from PBS:
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/kim/them/historical.html
 Salmon, A. (2014, September 10). Has North Korea launched a charm offensive? Retrieved from Al
Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/09/north-korea-launched-charm-offensive-
201497113746906224.html
 Sonawa, V. (2017, June 10). Why Is North Korea So Isolated? A Brief History Of The Reclusive Country .
Retrieved from International Business Times: https://www.ibtimes.com/why-north-korea-so-isolated-
brief-history-reclusive-country- 2549981
THANK
YOU!
Michael John D.
Alipio
B.A. International
Studies - II
 QU
Identification
IZ
1. North Korea is nicknamed as ___.
2. North Korea lives under a constant state of ___.
3. ___ is the official ideology of North Korea meaning ‘self-
reliance’.
4. Name one principle of this ideology.
5. List two reasons for North Korea sanctions.
BONUS QUESTION:
What is the official name of North Korea?