North Korea Essays (Examples)

Strategic Intelligence and North Korea

SWOT Analysis: North Korea

The Intelligence Community had made significant strides against North Korea when it comes to that country's nuclear weapons program. However, that does not mean that everything has been figured out or that there are no other issues that have to be considered. With that in mind, a SWOT analysis can provide more insight into whether the Intelligence Community is doing the right thing, and whether it has enough knowledge to adequately plan for what North Korea might do in the future. Understanding the nuclear weapons program that North Korea currently has, and what kind of program it may still be developing in the future, is vital to making sure that the Intelligence Community is prepared for changes that the country might be making to the power it has in the world (North, 2005). The danger that North Korea presents is real, and should not be underestimated just because the country is relatively quiet about what it is doing with its nuclear program.

Strengths

There are a number of strengths that the Intelligence Community has when it comes to knowledge of North Korea's nuclear program. These include:

Knowledge that the country actually does have a nuclear power…… [Read More]

Iraq and North Korea's Threats to America

Iraq and North Korea's threats to America. Is Iraq a greater threat or is North Korea? It is explained that Iraq has to be greater threat to America's interests as the latter wishes to protect the integrity of North Korea's neighbors. Iraq's threat to America is also seen as more dangerous than that of North Korea because of Hussein's global reputation.

Threat to America: Iraq or North Korea?

Using force against North Korea seems inappropriate because the Communist nation looks less vulnerable to attack than Iraq, and thus, less of a threat to America than Iraq. There are three reasons for opposing an attack on North Korea and these reasons have to do with the protection and honor of the neighbors of North Korea. War also appears as a less compelling option in dealing with North Korea because its nuclear weapons threaten American interests less than Iraqi nuclear arms would. A nuclear-armed Saddam Hussein would be more dangerous to the United States than a nuclear-armed Kim Jong-il. Besides, the protection of the interests of Iraq's neighbors stays as less of an interest to America, making it almost irrelevant for America to oppose war on Iraq based on the interests of…… [Read More]

Korean Peninsula and World Politics a Study of North Korea

Korean Peninsula and World Politics: A study of North Korea

Having been described as one of the most secretive states in the world, where even calculations of economic indicators is a difficult job to attain, there seems to be two very different perspectives of what North Korea is and the sentiments towards it. One is obviously the sentiments of the West, which has long considered it as an enemy state due to its strict regime and censorship policies, which has provided its citizens with no human rights. USA in a fact has put up quite an argument against the regime of North Korea stating again and again how the citizens of North Korea are being suppressed under the authoritative rule of Kim Jong Li.

The second perception is that which is delivered to us through the documentary "A State of Mind" which follows the lives of two gymnastics, who are training to appear for the Mass Games -- the perfect emancipation of the North Korean philosophy of collective over individual. It follows their routine and provides us an insight into their thinking and how they themselves perceive this regime and its leader. This perception is the complete opposite of whatever…… [Read More]

Military Structure and Capabilities for North Korea

Military Structure and Capabilities of North Korea

The objective of this study is to examine the military structure and capabilities for North Korea including North Korea's Army, Navy, Air Force, and Special Forces. This work will answer as to how the military is employed in the development and protection of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).

Scobell and Sanford (2007) write that since the beginning of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in 1948 "the Pyongyang regime has had two national strategic objectives: (1) the perpetuation of the regime; and (2) reunification of the Korean Peninsula under North Korea's control." (p. viii) Lovelace writes that militarianism "has remained an essential aspect of the DPRK throughout its existence, and the armed forces constitute a central element of the regime. The Korean People's Army (KPA), the name given to all services of North Korea's military, is the core element for the realization of North Korea's national strategy. This strategy calls for giving priority to military issues over everything else and the DPRK constitutes the most militarized state on earth measured by a variety of indicators." (Scobell and Sanford, 2007, p.viii) Lovelace writes that the KPA is such that emerged in the 1920s…… [Read More]

United States and North Korea

The U.S. Army 2d Infantry Division, together with South Korean forces, is likewise poised near the demilitarized zone. The 2d Infantry Division is also supported by massive air power that could easily -- and quickly -- decimate North Korea just as air power was used during the Korean War to level hundreds of North Korean cities, towns and villages. According to Bechtel, "The 2d Infantry Division operates 30 multiple-rocket-launcher systems and 30 M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers" (p. 76).

Conclusion

Taken together, the research showed that it is little wonder that North Korea is jittery about tens of thousands of American troops remaining on South Korean soil and its nuclear arms program and military buildup can be better understood when these issues are taken into account. Given the uneasy state of affairs that exists between North and South Korea as well as the United States today, an objective observer might suggest that North Korea was justified in its militarism. After all, it is unlikely that the United States would tolerate a North Korean infantry division armed to the teeth stationed right across the border in Canada or Mexico. By maintaining a substantial military presence in South Korea, the United States may…… [Read More]

Negotiation Between North Korea Dprk

m. To 6 a.m.), the overtime premium is 100% of the hourly wage rate. In some cases, North Korean workers have asked for additional night shift or weekend work in order to qualify for additional pay. Companies also may pay cash rewards as a special incentive. KIC employees receive 14 days per year in vacation time. At first, North Korean workers were reluctant to ask for leave time, but now they do. Female employees receive 60 days paid maternity leave. Labor costs in Kaesong are approximately 8% of those in a South Korean metropolitan area. South Korean labor laws extend to South Korean workers in the KIC." (Nanto and Manyin, 2008)

It was reported that Unification Ministry officials confirmed in April 2007 that the DPRK had made a request that pay be raised 30% and 10% for members of the North Korean workforce who had graduated from two- and four-year colleges respectively. The two categories comprise approximately 11% each of the workforce of North Korea in the KIC. It is related that wages are paid in dollars to North Korean workers. Additionally the labor law in Article 43 of the Labor Law of the Kaesong Industrial Complex states that "wages…… [Read More]

Kim Jong Il North Korea's

Were it not for the rarity of books on this subject, it is unlikely it would have found a publisher. One can only wish that Breen had a more scrupulous use of words and analysis to make up for what he lacks in facts. His challenging thesis and advocacy of negotiation is thought-provoking, but more evidence and research is required to take it seriously from a policy maker's viewpoint.

One of the reasons Breen's analysis may be lacking is that he is not an academic or a policy analyst. Rather, he is a Seoul-based management consultant, hence his possible sympathy to the prospect of negotiating with North Korea, which has considerable support in the South, for obvious emotional reasons, as the split between the two sides sundered families and loved ones. Breen was once a journalist. This explains his surprisingly colloquial style. He now specializes in advising businesses how to profit from their dealings with the communist state. This is yet another reason why financial dealings with the Jong regime may be less off-putting to him than other policy analysts and may ultimately have biased his judgment (Runkel, 2007).

Works… [Read More]

Korean Peninsula and World Politics a Study of North Korea

Political Science

The World Politics of the Korean Peninsula: North Korea

The History Channel produces and broadcasts both a provocative and informative special about modern political history in North Korea. The focus is upon the leader, the dynasty, and the legacy of the leader Kim II Sung and Kim Jong-il. The film focuses upon the current leader as well as the leadership of his father of the same name. Documentaries, particularly those about history, have an arduous challenge of maintaining the attention of the viewers and maintaining a cooperative balance between being educational and serving as entertainment. This short documentary by the History Channel achieves this balance successfully. As a historical documentary, a significant portion of the content consists of interviews, necessarily. A documentary full of "talking heads," (a term used in the film and media industries to indicate what is only on the screen i.e. people talking) is boring and loses the audience almost immediately. Variety keeps documentaries interesting no matter how compelling the subject matter, as is the case of the subject matter of "Kimjongilia."

The producers and research team of this documentary weave together interviews that in of themselves exceptionally compelling. The interviews vary in how they…… [Read More]

Diplomacy Nk Diplomatic Relations With North Korea

Diplomacy NK

Diplomatic Relations with North Korea

North Korea has a centralized government under the rigid control of the communist Korean Workers' Party (KWP), to which all government officials belong (U.S. Department of State, 2012). There are a couple other parties that are in existence in North Korea, however these parties have virtually no power or membership. Given the tight reign of control the government keeps on its population, much of the countries activities are elusive. North Korea and the United States have a long history of conflict that has stifled many diplomatic efforts. Furthermore, the United States has backed South Korea since the Second World War and recent military actions by North Korea have also heightened tensions (Yang, Hall, & Vanden, 2010).

There are no official diplomatic relations between the U.S. And North Korea and the unofficial ones are strained from many sources. First of all North Korea has a substantial army, one of the biggest militaries in the world. Their military forces are estimated to contain roughly one point two million active duty members; nearly double the force of their South Korean neighbors (U.S. Department of State, 2012). Some analysts had believed that the Pentagon has inflated the…… [Read More]

International Relations of East Asia Especially South and North Korea

Stabilizing International Relations in East Asia and Possibility of Institutionalization

The current relationship status between nations in East Asia is souring as the clock ticks. There is major instability with regards to the security problems especially as far as the North and South Korea are concerned. An arms race is going on with North Korea trying to accumulate Weapons of Mass Destruction. Recently it announced of its possession. This project aims to find a solution to eliminate this instability and how the nations can come together to ensure peace in the region.

Asian countries are facing a block in their relationship with each other. India and Pakistan are hardly moving forward on the Kashmir Issue while the Koreas are still in an unstable environment. The common denominator to cause such instability is the proliferation of weapons and the question of how to set the standards of common security. With the U.S. aiming for the elitist weapons, and aiding South Korea, begins a chain reaction in countries like China and North Korea that opt for producing more sophisticated weapons 'China's chief of arms control issued a new warning ... that U.S. plans for a national missile defense system, even if intended…… [Read More]

Kim Jong IL North Korea's Leader

History Of Kim Jong Il

In today's deeply heated political push with North Korea, my would like to know more about Kim Jong Il? Little is to be found about him, which fuels speculation and rumor. North Korea claims that Kim Jong Ils official birthplace is on sacred Mount Paektu, according to Carol Clark, CNN reporter. However, she states, "objective" researchers place his birth in the Far Eastern region of the Soviet Union on February 16, 1942. (CNN). Kim Jong Il graduated from Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung University in 1964. Shortly after graduating, he assumed the role of culture czar for the Workers Party, focusing on producing plays and films. (CNN) Clark reports that in 1980 Kim Jong Il was formally designated as successor to his father. (CNN)

Following his succession, Kim Jong Il attained high-ranking posts in the Military Commission and the Party Secretariat. (CNN) According to Bruce Cumings, author of Korea's Place in the Sun, preparations were being made for Kim Jong Il's succession in the 70s, and by 1973, he was already involved party organizational work. (Cumings 409) Kim Jong Il assumed the title "Dear Leader" and the government "began spinning a personality cult around him patterned…… [Read More]

Powers to North Korean Nuclear

Such a fact has troubled the international community greatly. Other reactions have included international condemnation of the tests as a blatantly executed threat.

In 2006, sanctions were placed against North Korea among other nations by the international communities to cease their nuclear development.

However, this tactic has only proven to provoke North Korean resistance to cease nuclear testing.

This leads the international community to wonder about what will happen next. How will the international world react to these blatant moves towards nuclear capabilities?

How will other nations react to North Korea's actions will determine real political action in the future. There are several major nations within the Western World and its allies which have the potential to be seriously affected by both threats and exercises of North Korean nuclear strength. U.S. friendly South Korea is in direct line for nuclear North Korean aggression.

Democratic Japan and United States are also in potential range for more developed North Korean weapons.

Such nations are reacting defensively, and arming themselves in preparation. The U.S. has been particular to show distress and call for injunctions against further North Korean testing.

Yet, may others have expressed the need for the international community to not allow…… [Read More]

North Korea's Becoming the Ninth

Firstly, he is seen as a dictator and one of the last posts of the communist regime by most of the western world. Therefore, the power given by the possession of a nuclear device is indeed a worrying perspective, considering the fact that the Korean leader is known for his opaque foreign policy. At the same time, the Western countries are worried by the latest tests also in the light of the 9/11 events, which reshaped the perspective from which we tend to view threats. Thus, it is possible that the technology used by the North Koreans to reach third parties, such as terrorist organizations. If a state's bellicose intentions to some extent can be controlled through sanctions and even military strikes, in the case of non-state actors, this is practically impossible, as the recent experiences involving especially Al Qaeda have shown. Therefore, in such a situation, the international system would indeed become rather unstable and subject to constant threats.

Taking this into consideration, it may appear quite odd that the international community does not engage fully in the initiatives to try and stop the North Koreans in their actions. This lack of unanimity is justified by the national interests…… [Read More]

United States Persuade North Korea

The fundamentals of exchange theory are illustrated at Appendix a. This approach to analyzing the current situation in North Korea will help add to the existing body of knowledge by developing fresh insights into the possible motivating factors that have characterized North Korea's negotiations with the West in general and the United States in particular in the past and will help address the hypothesis to be tested which is stated below.

Hypothesis

H1:

The likelihood that it will be possible to persuade North Korea to dismantle its nuclear capability will be increased if American military forces are removed from South Korea.

This hypothesis will be qualitatively tested based on a preponderance of the evidence that results from the critical review of the literature described above.… [Read More]

Koreas North and South Korea

Furthermore, an outright war could embroil the United States in a conflict far bigger than Iraq or Afghanistan, causing serious detriment to life, liberty and economic stability (Farrell, 2006).

At this point, North Korea is still engaged in a process of saber-rattling. Their ability to impact markets and security is limited, but should the North Korean government make a bolder move, or force the West into a response, the situation on the Korean peninsula could destabilize the entire world.… [Read More]

Korea's Place in the Sun

After dividing into the two nations, the Korea's still had problems with what their arrangement turned out to be. South and North Korea both wanted land that turned out to be in each other possession, something that they did not want. Because of this fight over land, politics, and rights, a civil war broke out. South Korea received most of the blame for this war within one country. South Korea was said to provoke the North and were actually the ones who not only started most battles, but also was the side that sent the most troops in to invade North Korea. This strong overwhelming insurgence from both sides made this civil war one that would damage land and its people far beyond repair.

This was a very sad occurrence as it was a war between a nation that had high hopes of being freed from an overbearing power, such as Japan. After so many decades under Japanese rule, Korea was finally free to establish itself as its own independent nation, but instead had so many political, governmental, and outside forces influencing their every decision, that it instead caused a turmoil that is still present till this day. When Korea…… [Read More]

North Korean Foreign Policy During

This policy has led to an increasingly negative view of this country abroad, as well as likely increased the danger presented by unstable regimes like that in operation in North Korea.

The changes that are likely to occur after Obama's inauguration are difficult to predict. As mentioned above, an increase in negotiations and the possibility of more concessions on the part of the United States, at least in terms of aid, are likely to be seen. By appointing the more hawkish Hillary Clinton to the position of Secretary of State, however, Obama may be signaling that is approach will be hard-lined than has previously been believed (Beck 2008, par. 5). Only time will tell, of course, although North Korea's announcement that they have discontinued their nuclear weapons research is encouraging place at which to begin the historical negotiations.… [Read More]

North and South Korea the War Between

North and South Korea

The war between North and South Korea is now a few decades old. Ever since the two countries split in the 1950's, the world has been trying to find a way to reunite both the land and its citizens, some of whom have not seen their family for many decades. No other country in the world exists in the same complete (literal) darkness as North Korea. Sheltered from the world, the country and its citizens are living stuck in time, without modern technology and conveniences. However, North Korea does show its prowess once in awhile to discourage other from encroaching upon its authoritarian territory. This short analysis will focus on the situation between the two countries, complete with an analysis of their respective populations. [1: McDonald, M. (2010). "Crisis Status' in South Korea After North Shells Island." New York Times. Retrieved April 19, 2011, from . ]

North and South Korea were once one country. In the 1950's as aforementioned, the South allied with the United State and the North became community, thus successfully splitting. Since that time, the North's philosophy has been one of "self-sufficient industrialization." The government in the North, headed by Kim Jong-Il,…… [Read More]

History of Korea

North/South Korea + Korean-Americans

The Two Koreas:

South Korea is known today as one of the rising economic giants of the industrialized world. The nation is a respected U.S. ally, and a center for fashion and technology, not to mention other industries. While South Korea's "star" is on a constant rise, its neighbor, North Korea, continues to live in a tightly closed society, with restrictive and degrading practices, whereby its citizens are almost like robots, not allowed to think for themselves, to eat properly, or to explore their world. The different between the two countries is stark, and in order to even begin to understand South Korea's ability to progress so much, one must analyze its history. However, for the purposes of this paper, three main questions will be analyzed in order to begin to understand the two countries in an initial phase:

South Korea's path of democratization in the 1980s and 1990s will be described,

North Korea's policies in the 1990s will also be described, and,

3. Lastly, the paper will describe the Korean diaspora with a focus on America.

South Korea Democratization in the 1990s

Korea was "supposed to be" a mix of "cheap and disciplined labor, talented…… [Read More]

U S Foreign Policy Towards North

(Efimova, 2007, paraphrased)

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

North Korea underwent internal changes as well as changes due to external factors that placed North Korea in a defensive stance in its focus on strategically avoiding threats and in rebuilding its own self-reliance economically. For North Korea since the Berlin Wall fell the use of conventional weapons by North Korea in defending itself from external foes has not been a feasible proposition, therefore, it is apparent that North Korea acquired nuclear capabilities because of the value of these capabilities as use as a method for ensuring adequate self-defense in what the regime in North Korea views as a highly unstable security environment and one in which North Korea is quite terrified that will result in the United States becoming aggressive from a military standpoint.

It really can not be held as true that the reason for the development of nuclear capability in North Korea was one that was driven simply on the bases of the country's elite and their own personal interests but instead has arisen as a problem because of the North Koreans lack of any real leverage politically, economically and in the way of resources. The present regime in North Korea…… [Read More]

Nonkilling Korea Edited by Glenn D Paige

Nonkilling Korea

Edited by Glenn D. Paige and Chung-Si Ahn, Nonkilling Korea is a collection of scholarly essays and material delivered at the Asia Center/Seoul National University and the Center for Global Nonkilling in Seoul during August 18-19, 2010. The material is written primarily about Korean values and culture, with the purpose of creating a shift in the discourse used to discuss modern Korean history. Whereas most Korean historiography focuses on war, and the political and militaristic aspects of 20th century conflicts surrounding Korea, the authors that contribute to Nonkilling Korea try to reframe history to include spiritual values and ethics. The book does not limit itself to a discussion of Korean history or culture per se, either. The editors cull material from sources that address other nations and cultures in relation to both South and North Korea, including the United States, China, Japan, and Russia. Nonkilling Korea includes an Introduction by Glenn D. Paige, and a Conclusion by both editors, Paige and Ahn. Individual essays that follow include, "Spiritual and Practical Assets of Korean Nonviolence" by Jang-seok Kang; "Nonkilling in North Korean Culture" by Glenn D. Paige; "From Nonkilling to Beloved Community" by Michael N. Nagler and Stephanie N.…… [Read More]

Anti-Americanism in Korea the Diverging

Moreover, while the U.S. did not seem to be particularly affected with the fact that North Korea was in possession of nuclear weapons, it was reluctant to support South Korea in developing a nuclear weapon program, in point of fact emphasizing that this would come in disagreement with the country's international obligations (Shorrock 18).

Tensions grew significantly in the last few years, given that the U.S. is still reluctant to accept North Korea's actions, in spite of the fact that South Korea becomes more and more exposed with the passing of time. Strong anti-American feelings developed in South Korea as a result of the fact that Americans expressed little interest in consolidating its security and because the overall state of affairs pointed toward a significant crisis experienced by their country (Shorrock 18).

Roh Moo-hyun, the sixteenth South Korean president was much more determined in expressing an anti-American behavior than his precursor. He was part of a generation accustomed to developing a nationalist identity and that would be against most American interventions in the country. He virtually continued what the people before him tried to do-achieve a level of collaboration with North Korea.

Roh Moo-hyun's presidency was marked by a series…… [Read More]

Changing Political Situation in North

Although the saber-rattling is currently at normal levels, there have been some highly disruptive events in recent years that have kept tensions high. For example, despite their vehement and repeated denials, most international observers agree and the results of international inspections indicate that in March 2010, North Korea fired on and sank the South Korean warship, Cheonan, with a corresponding loss of South Korean lives.

Just a few months later, North Korea fired artillery shells on nearby Yeonpyeong Island in November 2010, and in August 2011, North Korean officials seized assets at Mount Kumgang, a jointly operated tourist site with South Korea.

Despite continuing efforts by the international community to resolve this longstanding political and military stalemate, there have been some changes in the composition of the top political leadership in South Korea that may adversely affect these negotiations. In fact, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and his inner circle of advisors are routinely referred to as "criminals" by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the official news agency of North Korea (pers. obs.). The historical pattern of on-again-off-again negotiations between North Korea and the six-nation council

make it clear that efforts to negotiate a mutually acceptable resolution of the North…… [Read More]

Japan Korea and China Different or Similar

Asian Studies

Countries are very much representative of human nature. If you were to examine a microcosm of a nation at its basic level, it would be a local community or neighborhood. The people who live in the same community usually tend to share similar economic levels and cultural attitudes. Neighbors also influence the behaviors of each other. For example, affluent neighborhoods tend to have good school systems, active kids (as in after school programs), and involved parents. To a certain degree, these things are expected. This notion is applicable to the nations of China, Korea, and Japan. This paper will examine similarities and differences between these counties in a historical context. China and Japan were traditional societies that responded differently to the external stimuli of foreign relations. Korea is also similar in this regard but their foreign invaders were Japanese not Western imperialists. All three nations also suffered under oppressive regimes after the collapse of their traditional hierarchies. Finally, this paper will examine the different levels of discrimination faced by East Asians in the United States.

Korea and Japan share a lot of modern history due to the prolonged Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910-1945. During this occupation, the…… [Read More]

How and Why Did the Allied Occupations of Japan and Korea Differ

Japan and Korea Occupation

How and why did the Allied occupations of Japan and Korea differ?

Allied occupations of Japan and Korea date backs to year 1945 when World War II got ended. Both the occupations occurred as a consequence of victory of allies over the axis. The allied powers included the United States of America, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, France, and China whereas axis included Germany, Empire of Japan, and Italy (Schaller 1985, 1-11). The causes and effects of both these occupations were dependent on occupation of Japan by the allied forces. This paper will investigate and analyze that how and why did the allied occupations of Japan and Korea differ? After stating a brief hypothesis of this study, the paper will briefly inform the reader about the background that led to both these occupations. This will set the stage for understanding that how and why did both of these allied occupations differ from each other.

Hypothesis

The occupation of Japan and Korea by allied forces differed in the context that Japan as a unified country was kept intact whereas Korea got disintegrated into North and South Korea. Japan paid the price of war and subsequent occupation by being…… [Read More]

Why Did the United States Went to War in Korea

Korean War, just like most other wars in history did not occur in a vacuum. It started because of the North Korean attack on the South Koreans with the belief that they would be able to win the war and communize the whole Korean peninsula (Chang, 2010). The confidence of North Koreans in their ability to win the fight against the South was not based on hope, but on the intense confidence that it will be an easy victory for the North Korean forces in the war (Chang, 2010). As a matter of fact, the North Korean forces were far more superior to the forces of the South in every category of the fighting abilities and capabilities (Chang, 2010). They were well armed with very heavy weapons and equipment the Soviet Union supplied, adequately trained by the cautious guidance of Soviet military education and training personnel, vastly reinforced with the Korean forces and fight leadership, well-matured in the Chinese Civil War (1927-1949) era, and armed with a harmonized fighting plan created by the Soviet military war planners and advisers (Chang, 2010). After judging from the facts, both North Korea and its sponsors, the Communist China and the Soviet Union, predicted…… [Read More]

Korean Residents in Japan North

But in the 30s, most waves of Korean migrants came in because of the policy of forced conscription. Japan's economy rapidly improved at the time and there was a huge demand for labor. This and industrialization led to the creation of a Japanese national mobilization plan. This plan, in turn, led to the conscription of roughly 600,000 Koreans. Japan's military forces continued to expand and the government had to regular the increase in the Korean population. They were required to carry an identification card. In 1942, the government promised them equal citizenship if they extended their work contracts. They became eligible to vote, run for public office and serve in election committees. Conscription was implemented in the same year. Despite official political equality, Korean inferiority remained prevalent. Yet they were expected to observe and practice Japanese culture as a condition to political equality (Minorities at Risk).

With the defeat of Japan during the Second World War, the U.S. administration in Japan had wanted to treat the Koreans as Japanese nationals (Minorities at Risk 2003). In 1946, American official policy stated that those who refused repatriation had to come under the jurisdiction of Japanese law. They again lost their right to…… [Read More]

Religious Culture in Korea the

Confucianism promotes the "ideal of the scholar, who cultivates virtue in oneself and shares it through service in government, teaching, and daily life," Canda explains on page 1. The pure idea of Confucianism is to benefit all the citizens and those benefits have a ripple effect starting with the individual, through the family, and out to the Korean society and then the world (Canda, p. 1).

Confucianism has had an influence on many spiritual and physical Asian-based traditions; for example, Confucianism had a big influence on the development of martial arts, acupuncture, and meditation, according to Canda.

Shamanism: There are about 300 shamanistic temples within an hour of the capital of Seoul, according to an article in the New York Times (Sang-Hun, 2007, p. 1). The article points out that shamanism is presently enjoying a renaissance after "centuries of ridicule and persecution"; indeed, shamans were "demonized by Christian missionaries and driven underground during the Japanese occupation" Sang-Hun, p. 2). Moreover, there are now more than 300,000 shamans in South Korea, Sang-Hun asserts. Korean shamanism is rooted in "ancient indigenous beliefs" that many folk religions still hold true to; members of this faith believe that the air is "thick with spirits,…… [Read More]

Coldest War A Memoir of Korea a

Coldest War: A Memoir of Korea, a novel written by James Brady. This paper clearly outlines the summary of the book and highlights some of the events written by the author in his book. This paper explains Brady's purpose behind writing his masterpiece and clearly defines its theme. Critical analysis of the novel and information about the author are also included.

The Coldest War: A Memoir Of Korea

The Coldest War: A Memoir of Korea written by James Brady gives a first person's account of the second Korean war. In the book the author compares the tactical approach of the army vs. marine rifle companies. Serving as a young marine lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps for a year, Brady tells the story by illustrating to his audience the deplorable conditions of the soldiers and the critical experience they underwent, through his analysis and encountering. The author talks about the everyday events that went on while living in Korea during the war and thus presents to his audience an interesting guide on leadership.

The book tells a story about a young marine officer from his days as a boxer at Notre Dame to a Lieutenant fighting in the Korean…… [Read More]

Nature of Inequality Between the North and

nature of inequality between the north and south, he has to understand the role of technology in the international system. Someone who would say such a thing overlooks the fact that it's not the amount of technology that counts, but how you use it that matters. In the wealthiest western nations, the use of technology has been actively directed by well-regulated capital lending mechanisms. These financial instruments allow inventors, laborers, and merchants to borrow money at interest that can later be repaid within the context of a legal environment that protects property and contracts.

According to Weatherby, the tragedy of the third world has four culprits: dependence on the west, delayed modernization, increasing population, and the unequal distribution of wealth. He argues that even if all third world countries don't possess these qualities; that each possesses two or three of them. If the lack of modernization is to serve as an example, these problems can be seen as symptomatic of third world poverty rather than as causes for it, although I would argue that the people in developing countries are dependent on the west. Most such people never see the west's foreign aid dollars; they are spent instead on wasteful…… [Read More]

China Korea

Globalization

American Cultural Products have an Impact on Other Cultures

About the American Culture

How the American Culture Affects Products Globally

Influences of Culture on One Another

American Culture in China

American Culture in Korea

Major American Cultural Values

Globalization has created a completely new way of life for billions of people. It has provided people with new technologies and alternative ways of consuming everything, from products to music and films to literature and even language. In other words, globalization has impacted entire cultures in various countries (Friedman, 2005). The trend has been aided by the creation of the ability to purchase life changing goods for consumers; providing many varieties of consumable items at reasonably low prices on an international market has spread different cultures.

Understanding the impact of globalization on the regional and national cultures requires the understanding of the process and the meaning of globalization. While the term globalization originates from the global exchange of business and trade, the resultant effect of globalization can now be seen in almost every aspect of people's everyday lives (Stiglitz, 2006). The process that is created and aided by trade, immigration, and the exchange of information and ideas that affect and influence…… [Read More]

Korean Modern History

Korea

What is the situation of Korea at the end of 19th century, in terms of international relations and domestic responses?

Before 1910, Korea was a part of an Asian empire known as the Joseon. In the 1800s, religious persecution laid the way for a rebellion by the people which would alter the course of the history of the country. The idea of a unified religious sect was to further strengthen the nation. Instead people were resentful that the government was trying to influence such a personal aspect of an individual's life. A "peasant" religion known as Donghak was making its way into what would become Korea. The teachings of this religion discontented the lower classes from their stations and there was a rebellion in 1864. This all coincided with the attempts of the western world to gain access to Korea, something the government strictly refused.

In this period the Korean government signed several treaties with western nations, such as France and the United States. In 1866, some French priests had been killed in Korea for trying to instill Christianity. In response, France sent gunboats and the problems looked doomed to escalate. Signing treaties did some good, until Japan decided…… [Read More]

South Korea's GDP Was Estimated

"

Korea has been critical of U.S. procedures in tracking tainted products. The as-yet unratified FTA treaty includes a phasing out of South Korean tariffs on all beef products, including bone-in beef, over a 15-year period. However, recent news, exposing the risks of contracting e. coli from U.S. beef may compromise support for the treaty in Korea, while support in America for the FTA is on the wane given concerns about the treaty's other provisions regarding automobiles.

Outline

I. Introduction: Protectionism in U.S.-Korean beef trade

II. To what degree is the beef ban due to politics and protectionism?

III. To what degree is the ban due to issues of safety and sanitation?

A. Mad cow

B. e. coli

IV. Conclusion: different cultural attitudes in South Korea and North America

A. Towards trade

B. Towards agriculture… [Read More]

Japan and Korea's Political Economy Background

Political Economy Background: Japan and Korea

In the period after the World War II, a large part of the world was restructured, especially the Pacific Asia (Borthwick, 1992). One of the most dramatic changes that took place in Asia was that several countries that had been colonized or semi-colonized emerged in the years following the War as independent, self-governing states, freed from colonial rule. In Southeast Asia, for example, between 1949 and 1959, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Malaysia attained independence. Singapore gained the right to self-governance in 1949. However in this region, two countries managed not only self-governance but also diplomatic international relations. These two countries were Korea and Japan.

Though Japan had not only been physically destroyed by its enemies, but mentally and spiritually defeated by its surrender in the wake of the War, it managed to overcome this sense of defeat and started to build its way up. In the initial years after the war that is from 145 to 1952, it was subjected to the humiliating conditions of Occupation by the Allied Forces. For the first three years of Occupation, General MacArthur, as highest commander of the Occupation Forces had shut down all state financial institutions…… [Read More]

Economic Bureaucrats of Japan and Korea

Proponents of the capitalist developmental state argue, it was the bureaucratic interests that were the key to the successful industrialization of Japan and Korea in the postwar period. In particular, it was the bureaucrat's complete autonomy from self-serving interest groups and politicians that was the main factor that enabled them to define national-level strategies and then to implement them effectively." Those who are not proponents of the system believe it was a combination of other factors. Had it not been for the bureaucratic desire to succeed the motivation for capitalism would not have been put into place.

Following the Meiji era in Japan there were many economic reforms undertaken. Some of those reforms included:

unified system by way of modern currency, banking and investments. The desire and effort to establish a modern institutional framework that would be conducive to capitalist economic values was strong and was led by the bureaucrats of the nation.

Many of the former daimyo, whose pensions had been paid in a lump sum, benefited greatly through investments they made in emerging industries.

Those who had been informally involved in foreign trade before the Meiji Restoration also flourished (Japan Modernization and Industrialization (http://workmall.com/wfb2001/japan/japan_history_modernization_and_industrialization.html).

Those who do not…… [Read More]

Endowment Theory Hecksher-Ohlin-Samuelson Account North-South Economic Relationships

Endowment Theory (Hecksher-Ohlin-Samuelson) account North-South economic relationships? Illustrate point(s)

Generally speaking the world is economically divided into two blocks; North and South. North is characterized by stronger, more stable and powerful economies whereas south constitutes the less developed, weaker nations. 1 One of the popular economic arguments is that although North encompasses the major economies of the world which dominate the important institutions but South cannot be overlooked as it consists of the bulk of inhabitants. The world cannot ignore the importance of south due to certain emerging powers of the North like China, Brazil, and India. However, in this radical world where every state is independent and there is absolutely no self-governing power keeping an account of the governments, the hegemonic, influential and powerful countries similar to the United States of America (USA) will not ever leave their central place in the world.

The bargaining power of the countries in the south is increasing vigorously as predicted by some experts. However there are others who propose that the asymmetrical interdependences in today's economic situations will not crop major amendments in North-South bargaining power in the future.

The international theory of trade that has been developed from the writings of…… [Read More]

2006 the Democratic People's Republic

It would likely also require the diplomatic alignment of the U.S. with United Nations interests, which has traditionally not been a guarantee. This would combine with the established potential of counter-terrorist cells to strike on U.S. soil to place unprecedented emphasis on securing U.S. borders from entities clearly designated as enemies of the U.S. Such an enemy list that includes a nuclear power such as North Korea could therefore pose grave consequences for the U.S. And for the entire world.

The history of North Korea's nuclear program has frequently been shrouded in secrecy, sheltered from the IAEA and denounced by the United Nations Security Council. With the announcement of the arrival of the nation as a nuclear power, there is little for North Korea to shield from the rest of the world beyond the tenuous nature of its political machine. It remains to be seen if North Korea can maintain the political stability that goes hand-in-hand with legitimate diplomatic relations that would tie it to the other six-party nations. For now, its presence in a global context is much like a metaphorical phenom pitcher who possesses a blazing fastball and little control. Its ability to harness the power it has…… [Read More]

Military Strategy in Korean and Vietnam Wars

Military Strategy in Korean and Vietnam Wars

There have been numerous wars in the history of the United States. Some of the critical wars in the history of the United States include the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Prior to venturing into the Vietnam War, United States had participated in the Korean War. The case of Korean War proves to be a success because of the implementation of accurate and extensive strategies. Ten years after the success in the Korean War, the United States faced a similar situation, but could not recognize the same success as in the case of the previous war. One of the essential factors in the failure in relation to the Vietnam War was lack of appropriate military strategies. This research paper focuses on the illustration of reasons behind the success and failure with reference to Korean and Vietnam Wars respectively.

Military Strategy in Korea War

One of the essential outcomes of the end of the Second World War was the division of Korea into northern and southern sections. The northern part of Korea was composed of the communist while the southern section was under the administration of the Americans. The two entities were divided at the…… [Read More]

National Security Implications of Transnational Organized Crime

National Security Implications of Transnational Organized Crime

The paper deals with three important aspects, one the National Security, second the crime -- organized in many ways, and the third rogue nations that pose a threat. National security is to be understood in multiple contexts. Firstly the physical security of the nation from alien threats, and intrusions, secondly damages to vital infrastructure and thirdly anti-national activities by organizations that may lead to an emergency in the country or at an international level causing diplomatic problems. It must be remembered that the Al-Qaeda was also an organized crime syndicate that was funded by the drug trade from Afghanistan. Secondly organized crimes committed by the companies or organizations that commit crime like ENRON also have its own implications on the financial security. Thirdly rogue nations like Iran, China and Korea pose threats both on the security of the nation and it's infrastructure -- especially the communications that is used for spying and stealing data. Other than these communities based on religious ideologies that have a hate of the U.S. often form societies to run terrorist errands in the country. Some of the local organized mafias also have foreign links either to harbor funds…… [Read More]

Economies of Japan and South

This has helped to protect the economy against sudden shocks from different events.

The government policies that are supporting growth are designed to encourage foreign direct investment in the South Korean economy. What happened was the Asian financial crisis (in 1997), underscored how government officials needed to open their economy up to foreign investors. As a result, the total amounts of money that was coming in began to increase dramatically with these figures currently sitting at $115.6 billion dollars. This is a part of an effort to diversify the economy away from the manufacturing sector. Over the course of time, this has allowed South Korea to build up their infrastructure and improve personal income with this coming in at $30,000.00 per year. This is significant, because in the early 1970's the average South Korean earned $1,200.00 per year. ("South Korea")

The different policies that were enacted have meant that the South Korean government is now running a large budget surplus. This is because the tremendous amounts of growth and economic assistance have helped the country to experiencing a positive balance of trade. Where, the government realized a $35 billion trade surplus last year. Over the course of time, this has…… [Read More]

Critical Thinking for Homeland Security

Critical Thinking for Homeland Security

The objective of the article is to question the credibility of the decision adopting by the Bush's administration on North Korea due to claims that it (North Korea) was constructing a Uranium plant. Based on the universal structures of thought by Elder and Paul, it is apparent that the question at issue in the presented case is the credibility of the decision taken by the U.S. government towards North Korea. The U.S. believed that the North Korean state was in its quest of building a nuclear power plant secretly without the awareness of the U.S. As such, it promoted to U.S. To adopt sanctions against the North Korea such as suspending its deals with the state. The U.S. depended on unreliable information since up-to-date it has not verified the existence of a Uranium plant in North Korea as speculated by the report.

The decision adopted by the U.S. depended on information from various sources. For example, the State Department obtained critical information from its agents that North Korea had acknowledged its secret involvement in a Uranium enrichment program. The CIA provided information that showed that North Korea was constructing a plant that could provide it…… [Read More]

International Marketing Country Study

International Marketing -- South Korea Country Study

The primordial question at the basis of this study revolves around the attractiveness of South Korea to American investors. Otherwise put, is this country able to determine the American investor to launch business operations in this global part? In order to answer the posed question, a series of analyses will be conducted. Some of these will refer to the general context, whilst others will detail specific issues.

The country is located in the eastern part of Asia; enjoys a temperate climate and owns less than 20% arable land. South Korea is characterized by a tormented historic past, which explains well the differences emerged between the two regions of the Korean Peninsula. The total population of the country exceeds 48 million, and their life expectancy at birth is of almost 79 years. The interactions with the South Koreans are generally formal and follow protocols, nevertheless based on social communications; traces of gender segregation can still be observed.

From an economic standpoint, South Korea is in all instances superior to the global averages. Despite the fact that the United States of America registers superior values in terms of total and per capita GDP, the East…… [Read More]

Coca-Cola Company Coca-Cola Coke Is a U S -based

Coca-Cola Company ("Coca-Cola," "Coke") is a U.S.-based manufacturer and distributor of non-alcoholic beverage. The company recorded revenue of $46.5 billion in FY2011, and earned $8.5 billion in net income. According to the company's website, it sells products in over 200 countries, given the company near-global scope. This also ensures that Coca-Cola has substantial exposure to foreign currencies. This report will discuss a number of international financial aspects to Coca-Cola's business, including foreign currency risk and capital structure.

As Coca-Cola operates in just about every country in the world, there are a very few options for international expansion. The company's Mexican subsidiary is already exporting to Cuba, circumventing Helms-Burton. However, there remains one country where one cannot currently buy a Coca-Cola product, and that is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), or North Korea (Hebblethwaite, 2012). There is increasing wealth in that country, however, as the result of Chinese investment. While the average North Korean cannot afford Coca-Cola, there is a class of party insiders who can. This opportunity can be exploited from Coca-Cola's Chinese subsidiary.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

Coca-Cola's sales are divided evenly throughout the world. The largest geographic region is Latin America, at 29%, followed by North…… [Read More]

Weapons Proliferation

Weapons Proliferation, simply defined, is the rapid increase or spread of weapons in the context of global security. If we are to measure the weapons capabilities of the world, the United States retains the lion's share: in 2002 the Economist estimated that American military spending would exceed 379 billion in 2003 (Economist, 6/18/2002.) For comparison's sake, Russia, the world's second largest nuclear power, had a total GDP of merely 346.6 billion in 2002 (Economist, 7/22/2003.) However, the "balance of terror" that underscored the cold war era was in many ways much safer than the current situation. Whereas 'weapons proliferation' once referred to the number of weapons in existence, it has taken on a new meaning; it now is usually meant to reflect the number of political entities capable of using weapons of mass destruction. The number of such countries has increased beyond UN Security Council permanent members to include India, Pakistan, Israel and perhaps most notably North Korea.

Countries such as North Korea are regarded as what are known as 'rogue states:' states that fail to sign or comply with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Chemical Weapons Convention. Israel is also not a signatory to these conventions, an anomaly…… [Read More]

Confucianism in East Asian Cultures

Confucianism in East Asian Cultures

Confucianism is often characterized as a system that involves social and ethical philosophy as opposed to being purely a religion in the traditional definition of religion. As a matter of fact Confucianism is based on ancient religious foundations for the establishment of institutions, social values, and transcendent ideas of traditional societies. The paper is a critique of Confucian legacies in East Asian modernities, knowledge as well as pedagogies. Specific examples are drawn from China, Japan and Korea for the purpose of comparative analysis. These three countries in East Asia have all experienced historical repetitions of the disregarding followed by revival of the Confucian legacy at different times during their modernization. However, all of them have kept strong Confucian pedogic culture that frames ways in which knowledge is transmitted and applied for the definition of modernity in East Asia. Confucianism has a very immense continuity even though it has travelled widely and has been rewritten throughout time in history. There have been a lot of East Asian histographies, writings and rewritings of the Confucian legacy within the East Asian modernization since late 19th century (Kim, 2009).

Scholars have attributed lack of development in East Asia to…… [Read More]

Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Next

Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Next Terror: Assessment of How a Significant Terrorist WMD Attack Might Be Conducted by a Non-State Actors Perpetrator and Why They Can't Stage an Attack

Weapons of Mass Destructions (WMD) have considerable effect to the economies of both developed and developing countries. In the modern world, most terror groups have resolved to use Weapons of Mass Destruction to harm their enemies. The entire syndicate comprises state actors and the terror group, which intends to destroy the target country. The state actors have direct links or channels of communication with such attackers, foreign allies, and several residential alliances with almost similar connections to the terror groups. Most of the terror groups lack essential materials that would aid in the making of some of the most dangerous weapons such as nuclear bombs. The various forms of attack involved when using lethal weapons include dispersion, dissemination, and detonation. Apart from the overview of the topic, the paper seeks to examine and evaluate the review of Literature, the methodology, analysis and findings, and a summary of the fundamental arguments as well as conclusive remarks.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. Literature Review

3. Methodology

4. Analysis and Findings…… [Read More]

What Do State Do

Max Weber defined state as "a human community that (successfully) claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory whether that legitimacy derives from charisma, tradition, or law" (Hokim 2012). Weber held that domination of people being ruled by a ruler is an unavoidable political fact. His vision for democracy in Germany was a political marketplace where charismatic rulers are elected by winning votes in free competition, whether in struggle or not. He saw localized, public associational life as the breeding ground of charismatic rulers.

Weber suggested that social pluralism should be the sociocultural ground for political education of lay citizens, which requires an organized civil society. He also suggested that the political education should contain ethics in conviction and responsibility. The political ethics also involved value-freedom and value-relativism.

Under Weber's definition, North Korea under Kim Jong-il, after American invasion or Cambogia under the Khmer Rouge does not fit the definition of a state. Kim Jong-il ruled North Korea under a totalitarian rule where no individual freedom is permitted and all aspects of individual life are subordinate to government authority (totalitarism 2013). Totalitarian rule is an absolute and oppressive single party government characterized by a…… [Read More]

International Finance the Three Companies That Will

International Finance

The three companies that will be evaluated for purchase are LG, Sony and Xiaomi. Some of the report will discuss the individual companies, but a large portion of this report will go into discussing the country situations of these companies. They hail from South Korea, Japan and the People's Republic of China respectively. The differences between these Northeast Asian countries can be significant, and it is these differences that should capture the attention of the executive evaluating the decisions. There are two elements of risk that are the most important in this report -- political risk and financial risk. The former reflects the risk that the value of the investment could change based on changes in the political environment in the target country (Investopedia, 2014). Any evaluation of a major purchase overseas will include political risk as a factor, so when the political risk changes, that should increase the discount rate that was applied to the future cash flows. Thus, when political risk increases, the value of the investment declines; nobody is really worried about a reduction in political risk.

Financial risk comes in a few different forms. One of the most important is foreign exchange rate risk,…… [Read More]

Themes Across Cultures

Country/Culture

China

Africa

Korea

Great Britain

North America

Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella story from China (Louie, 1982); (Carr, 2012); (Snuggs, 2007).

Chinye: A West African folk tale (Onyefulu & Safarewicz, 1994); (Nigeriaworld, 2012); (Snuggs, 2007),

The Korean Cinderella (Climo, 1993); (Shapiro, 1993); (Snuggs, 2007).

Tattercoats: An old English tale (Webster Steel, 1976); (Advameg, 2012); (Snuggs, 2007).

The rough-face girl (Martin, 1992); (Native Languages of the Americas, 2011); (Snuggs, 2007).

Names of Cinderellas

Yeh-Shen

Chinye

Pear Blossom

Tattercoats

Rough-Face

China

Nigeria

Korea

Great Britain

Algonquin Indian

Time Period

"In the dim past," according to first publication in 850-860 AD

"Long ago," according to the book published in 1994.

"Long ago," according to the 1993 book.

"…there once dwelt"

"Once, long ago" according to the 1992 book.

Treatment

"Treated roughly and not allowed to go to the springtime festival to choose her marriage partner."

"Chinye must run a dangerous errand through the forest for her mean stepmother and stepsister."

"Pear Blossom, a beautiful girl who is mistreated by her spiteful stepmother and stepsister. In order to prevent Pear Blossom from going to the village festival, they force her to complete three unreasonable tasks to keep her busy."

She is a granddaughter neglected by…… [Read More]

Pacific Rim the World Bank

China has been a strong driver of growth since 1980, and South Korea has contributed. The wealthy city-states of Hong Kong and Singapore may be among the richest countries in the Pacific Rim, but their overall economies remain small compared with the big three. The other nations in Asia that were charted -- Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam all were noted as being minor economies. They may have seen growth in fifty years, but they remain small economies with relatively low GDP per capita rates. As a result, the conclusion that can be drawn from the data is that Japan remains the most sophisticated economy in the Pacific Rim, with South Korea and China making some contributions to the region's economic relevance. The city-states are valuable contributors, albeit with small economies, and other nations remain peripheral to Asia's economic success story.

There has not been any noted dropoff in any of these economies over the study period. Each economy has seen a steady upward trajectory. This holds true even for troubled nations -- China's GDP per capita saw some declines in the 60s and 70s but quickly recovered. Vietnam emerged from the 60s and 70s with no economy and has…… [Read More]