Foreign Relations of North Korea

The foreign relations of North Korea (officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea) are often tense and unpredictable. According to Article 17 of the Constitution, "independence, peace, and solidarity are the basic ideals of the foreign policy and the principles of external activities of the DPRK". Furthermore, "the state shall establish diplomatic as well as political, economic and cultural relations with all friendly countries, on principles of complete equality, independence, mutual respect, noninterference in each other’s affairs, and mutual benefit".

Following the principles stated above, North Korean foreign relation is usually governed by Workers' Party of North Korea. Specifically, Kim Jong-un decides the basic guidelines for the foreign affairs and the principle operating agency enacts the related provisions. On the other hand, There is also decision making process that is based on back tell. Some of the elites from the party, cabinet or army decide the foreign policy and get ratified by the prime minister, minister of foreign relation before reaching to Kim Jong-un. North Korean government divides foreign relations policy into three parts : governmental diplomacy, multi-party diplomacy and non-governmental diplomacy. Each is under control of different government organizations. In conclusion, foreign policy decision making is based on various government bodies' decision.

Since the Korean War armistice in 1953, the North Korean government has been largely isolationist, becoming one of the world's most totalitarian societies. Ever since North Korea signed the Armistice Agreement with the United Nations Command, it has maintained relations with China, Moscow (Soviet Union to 1991, Russian Federation onward), Pakistan and often limited relations with other nations. It has not maintained relations with other countries such as Japan, the United States, or South Korea.

Both Korean governments claim that the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) is only a temporary administrative line, not a permanent border. Subsequently, neither Korean entity recognises the opposite as an independent country in a circumstance similar to Republic of China and People's Republic of China. A demilitarised zone (DMZ) extends 2,000 meters (about 1.25 miles) on both sides of the MDL.