North Korea has been known infamously as a "hermit kingdom" since the cease-fire was signed in a stalemate in 1953 effectively ending the Korean civil war. The state has not enjoyed the economic and industrial boom that its southern counterpart saw in the latter half of the 20th century. Therefore, the North Korean economy remains largely underdeveloped and agrarian with millions living in impoverished conditions.
This country will be the first short analysis of a series of analyses of "America's enemies" to provide helpful and useful context to the "far away" adversaries many in the U.S. hear about on the day to day basis.
To start, North Korea is "officially" a communist dictatorship; although, in reality, it operates more as a hereditary despotic state. Why? Well, since North Korea's inception after the second world war in 1948, one family has presided over the running of the government known commonly as the "Kim" family.
The current "Kim" ruler, Kim Jong Un is regarded as the most dangerous yet because of his radical crackdowns on political dissent amongst his citizens. It is estimated by the UN that millions of North Koreans live on labor camps and are punished for any minor breaking of loyalty to the state. This can range from a simple infraction of not paying proper respects to the "Supreme Leader" to not being allowed to follow any religion that is not glorifying of the North Korean government.
Being one of the last totalitarian states in the world, maintaining complete control over the citizen's of North Korea is a priority of Kim Jong Un's Regime. This means any information legally accessible to its citizens is altered to glorify the Regime and its actions.
The recent decision over the last decade by North Korea to become a nuclear power is not one without strategic reason. The previous leader Kim Jong Il implemented this push for nuclear weapons after witnessing a similar dictator, Saddam Hussein, get forcibly removed from power by a U.S. lead coalition in 2003. Therefore, this decision was meant to offset the U.S. from being able to take military action against North Korea.
In reality, the North Korean regime is trying to guarantee its safety and security from external threats by gaining nuclear weapons as a deterrent against the United States. Also, by relaxing relations with South Korea by attending the 2018 winter olympics this February, it is clear that this is an attempt by the North to weaken ties between the U.S. and South Korea. Will North Korea having nuclear weapons result in World War III?
It is easily doubtful given that its purpose as a deterrent to the United States is to ensure the survival of Kim Jong Un's government. Therefore, War would do little to fit this policy put in place by North Korea.
