North Korean apathy

1 August 2012 06:30 pm

Pyongyang perhaps never believes in change. Its obsession to maintain the iron-jacket status quo has become a laughing stock. Such an impression was reinforced as North Korea strongly denied the euphoric views expressed by its southern rival across the armistice divide in which Seoul hoped that the Stalinist north is in the process of reforming its foreign, military and economic policies.

Pyongyang’s snub is tantamount to the fact that the reclusive country is content with a lethargic approach, and is nothing more than a ruthless junta over its hapless people who crave for change, openness and development. A statement from the government while ridiculing Seoul blamed it for colonial designs, and took pride in the fact that the essence and nomenclature of the communist state is militaristic, and it shall be governed as per the dictates of socialism. This is nothing but chauvinism at its best.



Pyongyang and its new leadership are playing to the gallery and have definitely missed an opportunity to walk along with the rest of the world. The international community expected the young and energetic Kim Jong-un to open up his society, and see eye-to-eye over concerns on nuclear proliferation and armament issues. In this regard, all that was hoped was opening up and allowing its people to be a part and parcel of the interdependent world.

This diatribe from North Korea, in which it had castigated the South as well as the West, has come at a time when the social mosaic is ridden with inequalities. The society is marginalised to the core, and the influence of the regime is through the barrel of the gun. People are forced to live under the poverty line in soaring inflation, sub-standard infrastructure, coupled with unemployment, are more than a thesis itself of misgovernance. The shadows of communism along with a totalitarian decorum have pained a nation. As the generals and Kim Jong-un play the poker of militarism, North Koreans have no choice but to sit with fingers crossed. Reforms are no less than an anathema in North Korea.