Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Human Security and National Insecurity in North Korea

  • Chapter
The Protection and Promotion of Human Security in East Asia

Part of the book series: Critical Studies of the Asia Pacific Series ((CSAP))

  • 182 Accesses

Abstract

As addressed in Chapter 2, there is an international security continuum wherein ‘new’ human-centered approaches are intimately related to ‘old’ state-centric considerations, NTS issues have the potential to become traditional security threats, and issues of human security can morph into ones of pressing concern for the survival of states themselves or the peace and security of a region or even the globe. Perhaps the best example of this relationship is to be found in the DPRK, and the failure of national and international policymakers to address adequately the complexities of the situation. This chapter examines the causes and consequences of the failure of policies of the national government, aid agencies, donor states, and the international community (strategic partners and competitors), in addressing the insecurity of the citizens of North Korea, and suggests possible policy prescriptions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Amnesty International (2004) ‘Starved of Rights: Human Rights and the Food Crisis in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea)’, http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA24/003/2004/en/f5daaf5b-d645–11dd-ab95-a13b602c0642/asa240032004en.pdf.

  • Amnesty International (2011) ‘North Korea: Images Reveal Scale of North Korean Political Prison Camps’, 4 May 2011, http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/press-releases/north-korea-images-reveal-scale-of-political-prison-camps.

  • BBC (2011a) ‘Ex-President Jimmy Carter Calls for North Korea Aid’, BB?, 28 April 2010, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13221867. BBC (2011b) ‘US “not Withholding Food Aid from North Korea”’, BB?, 30 April 2010, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13247723.

  • Beck, P. M. (2010) ‘The Cost of Korean Reunification’, The Wall Street Journa?, 4 January 2010, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704340304574635 180086832934.html.

  • Bennett, C. (2003) ‘China Moves to Curb Crime by North Koreans/Impoverished Soldiers Blamed for Rash of Killings, Robberies’, Chronicle Foreign Servic?, 19 September 2003, http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/China-moves-to-curb-crime-by-North-Koreans-2587655.php.

  • Blomfield, A. (2009) ‘North Korea: Russia Takes Extra Security Measures in Case of Nuclear Conflict’, The Telegrap?, 27 May 2009, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/5394262/North-Korea-Russia-takes-extra-security-measures-in-case-of-nuclear-conflict.html.

  • Buzan, B. and Wver, O. (2004) Regions and Powers: The Structure of International Securi?? (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Chatham House (2010) Towards a Human Security Framework for North Korea: Promoting Human Rights through Pragmatic Approache?, Personal communication, 2–3 December 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chestnut, S. (2007) ‘Illicit Activity and Proliferation: North Korean Smuggling Networks’, International Securit?, 32(1), 80–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chun, C. S. (2009) ‘ROK-US Alliance and Northeast Asian Security: A South Korean Perspective’, An ROK-U.S. Alliance for the 21st Centur?, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 3 November 2009, East Asia lnstitute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2010) World Fact Boo?, http://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kn.html.

  • Congressional Research Service (CRS) (2007) Report for Congress: North Korean Refugees in China and Human Rights Issu?? (Washington, DC: CRS).

    Google Scholar 

  • CRS (2008) Report for Congress: North Korean Crime-for-Profit Activiti?? (Washington, DC: CRS).

    Google Scholar 

  • Da, S. (2005) ‘Peaceful Rise of China a Hot Topic’, China.org.c?, 22 April 2005, http://www.china.org.cn/english/2005/Apr/126696.htm.

  • DLA Piper, the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, and the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights (2008) Failure to Protect: The Ongoing Challenges of North Kore?, http://www.dlapiper.com/files/upload/NK_Report_F2P_North%20 Korea_Sepl9_08.pdf.

  • Emmers, R. (2007) ‘Securitization’ in A. Collins (ed.), Contemporary Security Studi?? (Oxford: Oxford University Press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fish, I. S. (2011) ‘North Korea’s Meth Export’, Newswee?, 19 June 2011, http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2011/06/19/north-korea-s-meth-export.html.

  • Foster, P. (2011) ‘China Builds Higher Fences over Fears of Instability in North Korea’, The Telegrap?, 30 March 2011, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/8415490/China-builds-higher-fences-over-fears-of-instability-in-North-Korea.html.

  • Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) (2010) GIEWS Country Briefs: Democratic People’s Republic of Kore?, http://www.fao.org/giews/countrybrief/country. j sp?code=PRK&lang=en.

  • Haggard, S. and Noland, M. (2005) Hunger and Human Rights: The Politics of Famine in North Kor?? (Washington, DC: US Committee for Human Rights in North Korea).

    Google Scholar 

  • Haggard, S. and Noland, M. (2007) Famine in North Korea: Markets, Aid, and Refo?? (New York: Columbia University Press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Haggard, S. and Noland, M. (2011) Witness to Transformation: Refugee Insights into North Kor?? (Washington, DC: Peterson Institute for International Economics).

    Google Scholar 

  • Howe, B. (2006) ‘Strategic Implications of the 2004 U.S. North Korean Human Rights Act’, Asian Perspectiv?, 30(1), 191–219.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Crisis Group (ICG) (2006) ‘Perilous Journeys: The Plight of North Koreans in China and Beyond’, Asia Report No12?, http://www.nautilus.org/publications/essays/napsnet/reports/0694IGC.pdf.

  • ICG (2010) North Korea under Tightening Sanction?, 15 March 2010, http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/publication-type/media-releases/2010/asia/north-korea-under-tightening-sanctions. aspx.

  • Korea Development Institute (KDI) (2010) KDI BukhanKyungje Revi?? [KDI Review of North Korean Economy], May, http://www.kdi.re.kr/report/report_class_e4.jsp?pub_ no=11467.

  • The Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) (1994) Agreed Framework between The United States ofAmerica and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Genev?, http://www.armscontrol.org/documents/af.

  • Kim, H. R. (2006) ‘Transnational Network Dynamics of NGOs for North Korean Refugees and Human Rights’, Korea Observe?, 37(1), 57–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, K. J. (2011) Voices from the North: Personal Stories from North Korean Defector?, Yongsan Army Garrison, Seoul, 20 June 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, S. H. (2010) ‘What are Motives Behind the Cheonan Attack?’, The Korea Heral?, 26 May 2010, http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp? newsMLId=201005260007 76.

  • Kim, Y. B. (2003) ‘National Economic Management System’ in Choong Yong Ahn (ed.), North Korea Development Report 2002/?? (Seoul: Korean Institute for International Economic Policy).

    Google Scholar 

  • Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) (2009) White Paper on Human Rights in North Korea 200?, http://www.kinu.or.kr/eng/pub/pub_04_01.jsp?page=1&num= 28&mode=view&field=&text=&order=&dir=&bid=DATA04&ses=&category=2672.

  • Kirk, D. (2010) ‘North Korea Plays on Tokyo’s Mind’, Asia Time?, 6 March 2010, http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/LCO6Dg01.html.

  • Koga, K. (2009) ‘The Anatomy of North Korea’s Foreign Policy Formulation’, North Korean Revie?, 5(2), 21–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kwak, N. U. and Lee, Y. J. (2006) Bukhan Uimugyoyukjedowa Boyukje?? [Obligatory Education System and Childcare System of North Korea] (Seoul: Korean Society for Early Childhood Education).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kwon, T. J. et a?? (2004) Bukhaneui Nongeopbumun Gaehyeok Gaebang Jeongchaekkwa Nambukhyeomnyeok Bang?? [Strategies for Agricultural Reform in North Korea and Inter-Korean Cooperation] (Seoul: Korea Rural Economic Institute).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, A. R. (2010) ‘Wae Bukhaneui Yeoseong Talbukjaga Maneunga?’, [Why are There So Many North Korean Women Refugees?], Monthly Korea Foru?, 249, 118–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, S. P. (2009) ‘Europe Yeonhapeui Daebukhan Jeongchaekeseo Inkwon Jeong-chaekeui Euimiwa Yeokhal’, [The Role of the EU’s Human Rights Policy toward North Korea], GukjejiyeokYoeng?, 13(2), 261–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, S. S. (2003) ‘Social Security System and Social Services’, in Choong Yong Ahn (ed.), North Korea Development Report 2002/?? (Seoul: Korea Institute for International Economic Policy).

    Google Scholar 

  • Liebelson, D. (2010) ‘Nine out of Ten Women Escaping North Korea are Trafficked’, Change.or?, 29 October 2010, http://news.change.org/stories/nine-out-of-ten-women-escaping-north-korea-are-trafficked.

  • Liu, M. (2003) ‘Nukes and Crime: China’s Borderline Troubles’, Newswee?, 31 August 2003, http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2003/08/31/nukes-and-crime-china-s-borderline-troubles.html.

  • Mitrany, D. (1933) The Progress of International Governme?? (New Haven: Yale University Press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, B. R. (2010) ‘North Korea’s Race Problem: What I Learned in Eight Years Reading Propaganda from Inside the Hermit Kingdom’, Foreign Polic?, http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/02/22/north_koreas_race_problem?page=full.

  • News Corp (2011) ‘Adm. Mullen Seeks China’s Help on North Korea’, My Fox Bosto?, 10 July, http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/17759081/adm-mullen-seeks-chinas-help-on-north-korea.

  • North Korea Today (2010a) ‘North Korea Today No. 339’, Good Friend?, April, http://goodfriendsusa.blogspot.com/2010/04/north-korea-today-no-339-april-2010.htm1.

  • North Korea Today (2010b) ‘North Korea Today No. 337’, Good Friend?, March, http://goodfriendsusa.blogspot.com/2010/04/north-korea-today-no-33 7-march-2010.html.

  • North Korea Today (2010c) ‘North Korea Today No. 367’, Good Friend?, September, http://goodfriendsusa.blogspot.com/2010/10/north-korea-today-no-367-september-2010.htm1.

  • Oliver, C. (2010) ‘Donor Fatigue Threatens Aid for North Korea’, Financial Time?, 3 May 2010, http://www.ft.com/cros/s/0/4008f910–26e2–11df-8c08–00144feabdc0. html#axzzlmqZbdoyX.

  • Pan, E. (2006) ‘The Promise and Pitfalls of China’s “Peaceful Rise”’, Council on Foreign Relation?, 14 April 2006, http://www.cfr.org/publication/10446.

  • Park, H. R. (2010) ‘The Right Approach to Change North Korea: Consistent Pressure as Learned from Chicken Game Theory’, Korean Journal of Security Affair?, 15(1), 5–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rennack, D. E. (2003) ‘North Korea: Economic Sanctions’, Report for Congres?, 24 January 2003, http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/crs/r131696.pdf.

  • Security Consultant (responsible for briefing US Forces Korea commanders) (2010) Interviewed Confidentially by author in Seoul, South Korea, 12 November 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  • Song, S. H. (2010) ‘Spy Report after Cheonan Sinking Cited NK Attack’, The Korea Heral?, 23 April 2010, http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail. j sp?newsMLId=20100422000616.

  • The Guardian (2009) ‘North Korea Says Military and Political Agreements with Seoul are “Dead”’, The Guardia?, 30 June 2009, http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/30/north-korea-south-korea.

  • Walker, P. (2010) ‘North Korea Calls for Peace Treaty with US’, The Guardia?, 11 January 2010, http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/11/north-korea-peace-treaty-us-nuclear-talks.

  • World Food Programme (WFP) (2010) Korea, Democratic People’s Republic (DPRK?, http://www.wfp.org/countries/korea-democratic-peoples-republic-dprk.

  • World Health Organization (WHO) (2010a) Democratic People’s Republic of Korea: Health Profil?, http://www.who.int/gho/countries/prk.pdf.

  • WHO (2010b) World Health Statistics 201?, http://www.who.int/whosis/whostat/EN_WHS10_Full.pdf, date accessed 14 March 2013.

  • Yamamoto, Y. (2011) Taken! North Korea’s Criminal Abduction of Citizens of Other Countri?? (Washington, DC: The Committee for Human Rights in North Korea).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yi, S. W. (2009) ‘Bukhaneui Inkwonhyeonhwangkwa Hangukeui Inkwon Oegyojeongchaek’, [South Korean Human Rights Diplomacy towards Current North Korean Human Rights Violations], Jeju Peace Institute Policy Foru?, 2009–7, 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, B. (2005) ‘China’s “Peaceful Rise” to Great Power Status’, Foreign Affair?, 84(5), 18–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ewha Womans University, South Korea

    Brendan Howe (Department Chair and Professor)

Authors
  1. Brendan Howe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Copyright information

© 2013 Brendan Howe

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Howe, B. (2013). Human Security and National Insecurity in North Korea. In: The Protection and Promotion of Human Security in East Asia. Critical Studies of the Asia Pacific Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137293657_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation