The Korean War Affected North Korea's Economy

The war in Korea has affected North Korea’s economy today as well as the human rights of its citizens.
Kim Jong- Un is the current dictator of North Korea in a communist country (“North” News). “The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” is North Korea’s official name. (“ North” News). In 1945, after Japan surrendered in World War II, Korea was divided into North and South Korea (Ember 1204). Many families were separated from loved ones and resources on the land were too (“North” Central). Thousands of Koreans attempt to escape from economic and social problems in North Korea and flee to China (“North” Central). North Korea established its independence in 1948 (“North” News). After, World War II, Korea was split into a communist North Korea
and a non-communist South Korea (“North” News). The dispute of the two countries caused the Korean War on June 25, 1950 when South Korea was attacked by North Korea (Fincher 17). North Korea sided with the Soviet Union meanwhile the South sided with the United States (18). The Korean War also made the fear of communism spread during the Cold War (41). Forty-four thousands of Americans died in Korea and ninety thousand injured (42). Although the war ended, North Korea had no contact with South Korea (41). Until this day, North and South Korea still have tension between them (“North” News). Rivalry between countries like China, Russia,and Japan that surround North Korea because of location lead often to conflict ( Fincher 5). Korea was often used as a fighting base for Japan and China (3). Russia wanted to take over Korea like Japan did but was defeated after Japan moved troops to Russia moving north through Korea (10). The Japan control over the counry led to alliance with the US (11). North Korea required restrictions for foreigners when the United States government sent a fleet to Japan (7). North Korea has a nuclear weapons program
Molina 2 enforced by how isolated the country is (“Korea” News). There is a lot of news about North Korea’s terrorism and nuclear weapons threat (Ember 1202). The Korean War destroyed most of the country’s economy (Ember 1206).
North Korea relied heavily on foreign aid from countries like the Japan and the United States (1207). The estimated cost of the war was between 67 billion to 164 billion dollars (Fincher 42). In the late 1900s, floods caused a famine and dropped the country’s economy (Ember 1207). Food aid had been provided but not since 2009 (“North” Central). Poverty increased and with the lack of food, crime increased (Ember 1207). During the war, production of weapons increased while the production of goods decreased (Fincher 34). In effort of reestablishing the economy, North Korea reinforced the industry by making them owned by state (Ember 1206). Around the 1950s and 1960s, Kim II Sung visited mills and factories, which had a positive effect on the nation’s pride, it made the economy recover quickly (1206). Agriculture and industry makes up most of North Korea’s economy production (1207). Major industries of North Korea include the production of iron and steel (1207). Other industries include mining and machinery (1207). Most of the agriculture is occupied by 37% forced laborers while industry occupies 63% of people (“North” News). Many agriculture products produce include eggs, beans, and rice (“North” Central). Weapons from Russia and China are major imports of North Korea (Ember 1207). South Korea and the Republic of Congo are import partners of North Korea (“North” Central). Petroleum, coal, and grain are also some of the imported goods (“North” Central). Exported goods include minerals, textiles and agricultural fishery products (“North” Central). For a better economy North Korea is trying to develop new gas pipelines for trade with Russia (“North”
Central).