geography paper final draft about 6 pages

Running head: NORTH KOREA PROFILE

NORTH KOREA PROFILE 6

North Korea Profile

Name

Institution

North Korea Profile

Geography

North Korea is located in East Asia. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica (2017), the country lodges in the northern part of the Korean peninsula, which lies between the Yellow Sea and the East Sea (the Sea of Japan) and covers approximately 55% of the peninsula. South Korea borders it in the south while Russia and China border it in the north. Pyongyang is North Korea's capital and is situated near its west coast. A 2.5-mile wide demilitarized zone established in 1953 separates North Korea and South Korea and runs for 150 miles. North Korea enjoys a cold continental climate with its December and March winter mean temperatures ranging from 20oF to -10oF in January. Commencing in June and lasting until the end of September, the summer season often experiences temperatures exceeding 60oF countrywide. Most of the country, especially the Western lowlands are suitable for cultivation. The country is also well drained by River Yalu and Tumen River.

Economy

According to the CIA (2017), North Korea has one of the most centralized and least open economies in the world. Thus, it experiences chronic economic problems. Its industrial capital stock is marred by a shortage of spare parts, underinvestment, and poor maintenance. The country nuclear program and military spending severely draw resources meant for civilian consumption and investment. According to the Heritage Foundation (2017), the central government owns almost all properties and investments making the population depend heavily on food rations and the government housing subsidies. The Heritage Foundation (2017) further notes that North Korea lacks an efficient tax system and the GDP is heavily dependent on the state-owned industries. The economy is further weighed down by numerous sanctions imposed on it because of its nuclear program.

Infrastructure

According to the Encyclopedia of Nations (2017), North Korea has an extensive infrastructure, which is in dire need of modernization and expansion because it has been crumbling over the years. Its road system, which is estimated to be between 12,400 and 19,344 miles, is limited and unpaved. The number of trucks and personal cars is limited as well. It further has a 3,100 miles railway network that was built originally by Japan. These railways provide about 70% passenger transport and 90% annual freight traffic. Out of the 49 airports, only 22 have paved runways while most of the 12 water ports cannot handle large ships. The Encyclopedia of Nations (2017) further observes that North Korea greatly suffers from severe under-development of the telecommunication system and persistent oil and gas shortages.

Social wellbeing

North Korea ranks very low in the equality and human rights as per the global measures. It is characterized by forced labor by government and other human rights violations such as torture, forced abortions, sexual violence, and enslavement (Human Rights Watch, 2017). Surprisingly, though, although the country is male-dominated, it is among the few countries where averagely, women earn more than men do. According to the Guardian (2015), women account for 70 percent of household income as they often work in markets and private sectors. The most prestigious careers include military, party, academic, and diplomatic placements. However, the likelihood of getting such placements for the common citizens is very limited because it depends on one's connections to those in power. Schwekendiek (2008) posits that the health situation is generally poor with children benefiting from UN food aids indicating better health than those who do not. Farmers remit everything to the government for allocation (The Guardian, 2015), hence undermining personal social development and welfare.

Government

North Korea has a communist state form of government. It controls almost all aspects of life including economy, legislature, and manufacturing, and agriculture. According to the World Atlas (2017), the Supreme Leader of the nation acts as the Chief of State and is elected by the nation's Supreme People's Assembly. However, the last election was conducted in 1945. Since then, the Supreme Leader position has consistently been hereditary. The Supreme Leader is the head of security internally and internationally and is the head of the NDC (National Defense Commission). The Supreme People's Assembly also elects a Premier. The Premier appoints other three Vice Premiers and a cabinet. The premier and the ministers direct and implement the national policies. The Supreme People's Assembly consists of 687 elected deputies from 687 constituencies who are elected on a 5-year term basis through secret ballot. This government has been keen on furthering its nuclear and ballistic missile program, which has heavily affected the resources, economy, and social welfare of the country.

Recommendations

The government can implement various reforms to improve the situation in North Korea. In the field of natural resources, the government needs to modernize and expand infrastructure, allow a market controlled agricultural sector, and encourage industrial investors. Modernization and expansion of infrastructure will increase accessibility of various regions, which will allow for greater utilization of land through cultivation and settlement. Allowing a market controlled agricultural sector will encourage people to invest and increase agricultural output. Promoting industrial investments will ensure increased use of land and minerals.

The recommendations for the infrastructure sector include expanding the roads system and paving the unpaved ones; expanding the capacity of water ports to allow for a greater capacity of fright goods entry; paving the 27 unpaved airports across the country; and enhancing telecommunication.

The social welfare aspect can be improved through institution of equity and human rights policies that are respected by the government and police; enhancing personal growth through decentralization of economy and privatization of institutions; provision of governmental financial support to individual investors and Sacco's; and through improving the agricultural and health sector.

Personally, I believe these reforms can be best achieved through democratizing the government. The current dictatorial and communist structure limits the extent to which the citizens can help develop and grow the country. Democracy allows for capitalization and competition, which creates jobs and enhances the economic, political, and social welfare of a country.

References CIA. (2017, September 27). The World Factbook: Korea, North. Retrieved from Central Intelligence Agency Web site: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kn.html Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2017, May 9). North Korea. Retrieved from Encyclopaedia Britannica Web site: https://www.britannica.com/place/North-Korea Encyclopedia of Nations. (2017, September 30). Korea, North - Infrastructure, power, and communications. Retrieved from Encyclopedia of Nations Web site: http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Asia-and-the-Pacific/Korea-North-INFRASTRUCTURE-POWER-AND-COMMUNICATIONS.html Heritage Foundation. (2017, September 22). 2017 index of Economic Freedom: North Korea. Retrieved from Heritage Foundation Web site: http://www.heritage.org/index/country/northkorea Human Rights Watch. (2017, September 30). North Korea events of 2016. Retrieved from Human Rights Watch Web site: https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2017/country-chapters/north-korea Schwekendiek, D. (2008). Determinants of well-being in North Korea: evidence from the post-famine period. Economics Human Biology, 6(3), 446-454. The Guardian. (2015, December 23). Life in North Korea - the adult years. Retrieved from The Guardian Web site: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/23/life-in-north-korea-the-adult-years World Atlas. (2017, April 25). What Type of Government Does North Korea Have? Retrieved from World Atlas Web site: http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-type-of-government-does-north-korea-have.html