North Korea has never contributed to UN peacekeeping operations. The main reason resides in its totalitarian rule as an internal political environment. The totalitarian state also stands accused of systematic human rights abuses (BBC 2006aq, par. 2). Reports of torture, public executions, slave labor, and forced abortions and infanticides in prison camps have emerged (Ibid.). A US-based rights group has estimated that there are up to 200,000 political prisoners in North Korea (Ibid.). North Korea’s only indirect participation has been criticizing Japan’s participation in the UN peace operation in East Timor in 2002.
Initial variables of the data collection process:
UN/UN peacekeeping policy reform
No record.
Initial variables of the data collection process:
UN/UN peacekeeping policy reform
No record.
Perception of peacekeeping
North Korea, in March 2002, criticized Japan’s decision to join the UN peacekeeping operation in East Timor, saying the move presages Japan’s intention to become the dominant power in Southeast Asia (BBC-MIR 2002c, par. 1).
Japan was using its participation in the international peacekeeping force as a "foot-hold" for aggression in Asia. "Japan is using the peacekeeping operation as a front through which to insert itself in conflict zones around the world, behave like a policeman and interfere with the domestic matters of other countries," the commentary said. Japan plans to send 680 Ground Self-Defence Force (GSDF) troops to the UN peacekeeping force in East Timor, which is set to become an independent state on May. (Ibid.)
Domestic political environment
North Korea has been ruled by a totalitarian leader and also stands accused of systematic human rights abuses (BBC 2006aq, par. 1). Nuclear crises have involved North Korea as well. July 2006’s missile tests and October 2006’s nuclear test bespeak a shift in the balance of factions in the North Korean regime in favor of the hardliners (EIU 2006ce, 3). Some in the regime may, however, perceive the militant policy turn as disastrous, and China may now seek to cultivate moderates in the regime (Ibid.). The issue of the absence of a designated successor to Kim Jong-il is also of concern (Ibid.).
The United Nations have taken action in this issue:
On October 9th, [2006] North Korea announced that it had safely carried out an underground nuclear test, and in late October concerns were mounting that it might be preparing a second nuclear test. The UN Security Council passed a resolution condemning the test, but the provisions therein were watered down in order to ensure Chinese and Russian support. In mid-September reports surfaced that Kim Jong-il’s niece may have killed herself in the French capital, Paris, in August. (Ibid.)
Domestic economic environment
North Korea continues to implement important economic reforms despite renewed tensions with the US (Ibid.). The nuclear program may allow some downsizing of the dubiously effective conventional military apparatus (Ibid.). On balance, however, “the fear must be that rising tensions will militate against further economic reform” (Ibid.). Nevertheless “since 1993, famine has killed an unknown number, which some analysts put as high as 3m [million], or about 13% of the population” (EIU 2006ah, 11). Around 1m famine deaths may be a more realistic figure (Ibid.).
North Korea continues to implement important economic reforms despite renewed tensions with the US (Ibid.). The nuclear program may allow some downsizing of the dubiously effective conventional military apparatus (Ibid.). On balance, however, “the fear must be that rising tensions will militate against further economic reform” (Ibid.). Nevertheless “since 1993, famine has killed an unknown number, which some analysts put as high as 3m [million], or about 13% of the population” (EIU 2006ah, 11). Around 1m famine deaths may be a more realistic figure (Ibid.).
Military affairs
What worries the world is not just the nuclear issue. North Korea is an absurdly militarized society, with armed forces that are 1.1m strong (plus millions more in militias) in a total population of 22.7m (Ibid., 9). Besides past and present nuclear crises, its missile program alarms Japan (which is within strike range) and is the main impetus for the US pursuit of the national missile defence program (Ibid.). This situation is particularly delicate, because Japan’s close relation with the USA allows the USA to bring this issue to the attention of the Security Council.
North Korea’s suspected chemical and biological weapons are as yet wholly unaddressed (Ibid., 9). It remains on the US list of terrorist states, although neither recent activity nor any link to the al-Qaeda international terrorist network is alleged (Ibid.). In sum, North Korea is a rogue state par excellence (Ibid., 10). In a triumph of hope over experience, its interlocutors nevertheless still seek lasting solutions to these numerous concerns (Ibid.).
Foreign policy
North Korea is the world’s last remaining unreformed Stalinist state (Ibid., 4). Pyongyang has accused successive South Korean governments of being US "puppets", but South Korean President Kim Dae-jung's visit in 2000 signaled a thaw in relations (BBC 2006aq, par. 2). Seoul's "sunshine policy" towards the north aimed to encourage change through dialogue and aid (Ibid.).
Additional variables found after the preliminary analysis:
Climate changes
No record.
Climate changes
No record.
Independent negotiations taken by DPKO to seek troops
No record.
Independent negotiations taken by contributor countries to engage non-contributor countries
No record.
Meetings organized by other international organizations to engage in dialogue about peacekeeping
No record.
