An Introduction

The study of feminism has opened individuals to new ways of observing and understanding the world around us. Every country has its own unique history pertaining to women's issues and the development of women's rights. This website is dedicated to understanding the development of women's issues pertaining to politics in North Korea. While more and more women have risen to hold great political power since the nation's formation in 1948, we can observe that the role of women continues to be abused in an effort to gain internal and international influence. The resources provided below aim to create a better understanding of how these two opposing realities for women interact in North Korean politics.

Entering North Korea

Here is key information need to understand the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), better known as North Korea.

1. North Korea has been ruled by the Kim dynasty since 1948

In 1948, the Soviet Union appointed Kim Il-Sung as the premier of the DPRK. From that moment forward, the Kim family has ruled over the nation. Free and fair elections are not possible in North Korea.

2. Speech, internet access, religion, and protests are heavily restricted

Within North Korea speech criticizing the government and the Kim dynasty, adhering to any religion, and protesting the government are all punishable actions. Only a select few of elite North Koreans have access to the internet and government-approved websites.

3. In the 1990s, North Korea experienced an extreme famine

From 1994 to 1998, North Korea experienced an intense famine. Researchers outside of North Korea estimate that anywhere between 2-3 million people died. From the 1990s onward, the North Korean government has struggled with properly feeding its citizens, This natural disaster in addition to harmful economic and political policies has greatly affected the health and quality of life for a majority of North Koreans and their future generations.

4. North Korea is a nuclear state

In 2007, North Korea became the world's 9th nuclear state. The United States has attempted to persuade North Korea's government into halting the development of their nuclear arms programs, but efforts have not been overtly successful. The possession of nuclear arms deters surrounding nations from engaging in a military conflicts with North Korea.

5. North Korea's closest ally is China

North Korea greatly depends on China's economic and political support to operate. While the United Nations has placed mass amounts of sanctions on the DPRK for its human rights abuses, China has continued to maintain trade and diplomatic relationships. During the Korean War, China supported Kim Il Sung's effort to militarily incorporate the entirety of the Korean Peninsula under communist rule by providing troops to fight alongside the North Korean army.

6. Average citizens can not freely enter and exit North Korea

Immigration and defecting out of North Korea is extremely difficult for many as citizens do not have the right to freely enter and exit. Exit points out of North Korea (via into China in the north, or across the DMZ into South Korea) are heavily militarized and dangerous. In 202o only 229 North Koreans were able to leave and resettle in South Korea. Many defectors are currently residing in China, but it is difficult to assess the situation as defectors who speak out fear possible deportation back to North Korea. While the amount of defectors is only slightly increasing, each defector brings with them their near death experiences and tales of extreme conditions of their home country.

Be Aware!

The North Korean government is very restrictive on what information is available to the outside world. Some information is released directly via press releases and news broadcasts, but this information can be misleading and deceptive. Researchers often acquire information from defectors, but even corroborating this information can be a difficult task. This website uses a variety of sources to relay information, however, readers must understand that fully comprehending the state of women's issues in North Korean politics will never be complete until the North Korean government is more transparent to the international community.