North Korea's National Security Strategy and Its Impact on Development

Abstract

National security is of paramount importance for North Korea due to the continuous hostilities between North and South Korea and the external threats posed by other nations. The military tension between North and South Korea has increased significantly with the launch of North Korea’s third nuclear test in February 2013. North Korea has attempted to justify and legitimize its nuclearization process as a self-defense mechanism which is essential for national security. Even though national security is defined at three different levels: individual, the state, and the international system, in North Korea, individual level gains priority over the others since the regime maintenance of the Kims is considered to be a critical factor in the nation’s survival. North Korean aspiration for reunification, considered to be achievable partially by reducing U.S. influence on the Korean Peninsula, and its commitment to perpetuating the Kim family regime has remained unchanged since the nation‟s founding in 1948. But, the strategies to achieve the same have evolved significantly and resulted in its nuclearization process posing a security challenge for the United States and its allies. The objective of the study was to identify and assess different types of risks caused by North Korea’s national security strategy which will have an impact on the development of North Korea. Secondary data was used to identify the various risks. These risks were assessed using a risk assessment matrix. It was revealed that certain strategic measures such as the high resource allocation for defense activities are extremely high risks posing an adverse threat to the economic growth of North Korea. Several other high, moderate and low risks were also identified. Based on the findings of the risk identification and assessment process, it is evident that North Korea’s national goal of building a “Strong and Prosperous State” has become a challenge.