Recent History: 2000-Present    

North Korea is one of the most isolated and financially insecure countries in the world.  Most of its population relies on international food and medical assistance

in order to survive.  North Korea has a free health care system, but due to the outdated facilities, the quality of treatment is very minimal.  The country’s financial

problems have only increased since international financial grants and loans from institutions such as the World Bank are no longer permitted due to its declaration of terrorist support.                                                                                                                                                            

Official Webpage: http://www.korea-dpr.com/

Millennium Development Goals

The United Nations launched the Millenium Development Goals (MDGS) in 2000 at the Millennium Summit.  Leading development institutions and 192 UN countries agreed to support the eight MDGs and reach the agreed goals by the year 2015.

The eight Millennium Development Goals:

1.  Eradicate extreme poverty

Food Security

    North Korea lacks the foreign currency needed to help increase food production for its people.  Recent bad harvest years have only contributed to the national food shortage. 

    In August of 2005, foreign NGOs were ordered to refrain from supplying North Korea with food and medical aid.  The country’s government stated that it preferred economic aid over infrastructure assistance.  It is reported that much of the population can be found foraging for wild plants and almost half of the North Korean children suffer from stunted growth due to malnourishment.

    In July of 2006, typhoon rains, landslides and flash floods left more than 9,000 North Korean families homeless, 100 people dead or missing and destroyed much of the year’s harvest.  This crisis received attention from the North Korean Red Cross and the International Federation.  The North’s agricultural market greatly suffered from the disaster.

North and South Korean Relations

    Despite the North’s efforts to remain isolated from outside influences, South Korea remains vital to North Korea’s efforts at financial stability.  Last year’s trade between the two equaled over $1 billion.  Most of the food provided for North Korean citizens is from the South, which is also running a number of business projects in the North, providing a large amount of foreign currency for the nation.

    In 2000, North and South Korean leaders agreed to meet to discuss country relations.  The results included a joint agreement stating that both countries hoped to reach a goal of reunification.  With efforts to reunite families divided by the split of the Korean peninsula, both the North and South agreed to allow visits amongst the families.  They also mentioned that a unified Korean team would compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.  Unfortunately, this goal is now in doubt due to the nuclear testing of North Korea and its unpredictable nature. 

    Despite the peace talks, in 2002 both the North and South waged a 20-minute battle between naval vessels located in the Yellow Sea.  This was the worst battle between the two countries in three years. The South does still attempt to cooperate with the North, although after flying 468 North Korean refugees from Vietnam to South Korea in 2004, the North broke off all communication with the South for ten months.

    Fortunately, both countries agreed to another meeting in 2007 and a rail crossing through the demilitarized zone was reopened in early May of this year.  This was the first time in 50 years that trains crossed the border between the two countries.  Two trains ran a test run on the refurbished track to symbolize the cooperation between the North and South.

Economy

    North Korea’s market includes minerals such as gold, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc and coal, among others, and agricultural products such as rice and barley.  Modern mining methods are in effect within the country and the minerals and metal provide a large amount of the North’s export revenue.

    In 2005, North Korea’s GDP was estimated at $40 billion, a miniscule amount compared to the South’s $1.101 trillion.  In 2003, market-oriented reforms were initiated and although some improvements were made, the results are still yet to be seen.

The Ariring Festival

    The festival is made up of up to 100,000 performers, including gymnasts, dancers and school children.  It takes anywhere from six months to a year to prepare for this performance and it usually takes place when a foreign diplomat visits Pyongyang, however the main purpose of the performance is to increase propaganda for North Korea.  There are several messages displayed on cards held by young children that read "Never-setting sun" and "Proud of our country."  Most recently, the performance took place on Wednesday, October 17 for the South Korean president, Roh Moo Hyun.  The show has been described as "truly a Stalinist display of power to impress and intimidate."  The robotic nature of the show provides stunning pictures and intricate movements that are pleasing to the eye and make it a wonder to watch.

The following is a video from the 2002 Arirang Festival:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0_epAGSxww

http://uk.oneworld.net

http://hrw.org

http://www.un.org

http://www.korea-dpr.com

http://www.washingtonpost.com

http://www.usatoday.com

http://www.cnn.com

http://www.youtube.com

http://www.willisms.com, NK children image.

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