Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Historically, the Korean peninsula was politically undivided until the middle of the 20th century, when the aftermath of the Korean War led to the formation of two nation-states existing on opposing sides of the Cold War; to this day, both North and South Korea assert sovereignty over the entire Korean peninsula and the two countries still lack formal relations. Under the nation’s founder and first leader, Kim Il-sung, the political ideology of Juche, or 'self-reliance', was devised and implemented. Its major components included the promotion of Korean nationalism and the creation of a planned industry-based economy, extensive militarization, and a belief that the Kim family is distinctively talented and accomplished. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the DPRK became increasingly reliant on China. It frequently struggled with a weak economy, and millions of people died from starvation during that same decade. North Koreans’ access to education, healthcare, and employment is directly impacted by their level of “songbun” - their history of allegiance to the ruling party. Sexual and gender-based violence and discrimination are prevalent in the country, and in 2014, a major United Nations (UN) report found that the Kim regime has committed crimes against humanity. As one of only a handful of nuclear powers in the world, the country has been the subject of frequent sanctions due to its frequent ballistic missile tests.

Particularly after the ascension of Kim Jong-un as Supreme Leader in 2012, the country has pursued an increasingly confrontational foreign policy and has begun to modernize its military, already the fourth-largest in the world. This emphasis on military power poses a significant challenge for the other sectors of the economy, as a dire shortage of food and medicine adds to the country’s already atrocious human rights record. The DPRK’s complete isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic further exacerbated lapses in basic supplies, as borders were closed completely in January 2020.  

Given the country’s long history as one of the most repressive regimes in the world, it can be expected that the stagnant ratings across all GSoDI attributes will endure over the years to come. Actions by the regime have served to further its militarization and entrench its nuclear power. South Korean policy toward the North has long focused on rapprochement enticed by economic support with the eventual goal of reunification and President Yoon Suk-yeol appears set to continue this approach. Nevertheless, despite the potential for some economic progress, poor performance across all major indicators of democratic performance will continue to present myriad challenges for the DPRK in the near future.