Important changes are taking place inside North Korea. The collapse of the command economy, and the emergence of capitalism in its place, is ongoing. A burgeoning moneyed elite and increasing exposure to foreign pop culture are transforming how North Korean femininity is conceived. These changes are reaching far beyond Pyongyang to affect many, if not most, women in the country.
In early May this year, North Korea hosted its seventh Workers’ Party Congress, the first such meeting in 36 years. The nation’s capital was decked in colourful decoration and celebratory events were held to mark the occasion.
The congress continued to communicate many of the well-worn messages of nuclear resoluteness and displays of strength in the face of the international community, but also showed indications of a changing state of affairs in North Korea.
North Korea will conduct a congress this Friday to foster greater support for leader Kim Jong Un and the Workers’ Party of Korea, according to Associated Press. Leaders intend to unify the country against, so-called, U.S. imperialism, while drumming up support for economic progress. The Hermit Kingdom has incurred indignation from world powers as nuclear tests continue, and analysts expect its nuclear program to form a core part of the rallying event.
North Korea’s recent nuclear test and ostensible satellite launch puts the spotlight on the failure of the international community to tame Pyongyang. Led by the United States, the international community has reacted strongly to the recent tests, pushing additional punitive sanctions against Pyongyang and raising the prospect of additional military deterrence measures. The UN Security Council has passed a resolution imposing tougher sanctions on North Korea, including banning imports of coal, iron and other mineral imports.
On 2 March, in the wake of North Korea’s latest nuclear test and satellite launch, the UN Security Council unanimously passed a new set of stinging sanctions. Among other things, these include a partial ban on North Korean exports of coal, iron and iron ore, and a blanket ban on other items, such as gold and rare earth minerals.
The sanctions regime against North Korea has never been stricter, with the United States, South Korea and Japan also strengthening their unilateral sanctions. However, is the goal of sanctions still denuclearisation?
North Korea’s recent nuclear and long-range rocket tests appear to have created a policy tipping point. Opinion in the United States, South Korea and Japan has shifted away from a policy of ‘strategic patience’ towards one that employs additional sanctions to compel North Korea to reverse its nuclear weapons and missile programs. However, we shouldn’t expect too much in terms of concrete results.
Shortly after North Korea detonated a nuclear device at 10am local time on 6 January 2016, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) proclaimed that the device was a hydrogen bomb, and that such devices served as defence against external enemies. While one should not discount the Kim regime’s siege mentality, the defensive justification for periodic testing serves as a thin legitimising veneer for what are essentially domestic and negotiative drivers for nuclear demonstrations.
Following the latest North Korean nuclear test on 6 January, the Obama administration has resuscitated the Bush administration’s flawed expectation that China act in place of the United States in negotiating with North Korea. This expectation exposes a lack of insight into China’s foreign policy view and any real strategic logic for the actors involved.
North Korea seems to have had an internally stable 2015. Its economy is far from faltering and Kim Jong-un has firmly consolidated his power base. There were no explicit signs of internal challenge. Kim is both reigning and ruling. However, Pyongyang’s provocative behaviour in the international domain could produce severe consequences for North Korea. Uncertainty remains high.
North Korea may contend with a serious famine in 2016 due to a prolonged drought that failed to yield substantial crop production, according to UPI. Analysts predict that the government will have to make cuts to its nuclear program to foster economic reforms or make concessions to the international community in return for assistance, but there is a chance that leader Kim Jong-un may ramp up nuclear capabilities as the economy falters.
