Political Developments in North Korea and Southeast Asia

North Korea is an isolated country under a communist military dictatorship.

North Korea has experienced two leadership transitions since the end of the Cold War.

Kim Jong Il rose to power after the death of Kim Il Sung in 1994, and then following Kim Jong Il’s death in 2011, his son Kim Jong Un became North Korea’s leader at the young age of 29.

North Korea remains plagued by internal social and economic problems, including famines and droughts.

The controversy surrounding North Korea and its nuclear program began in 1994 when Kim Jong Il announced his country’s intent to withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Following negotiations, North Korea agreed to freeze its nuclear program in exchange for U.S. foreign aid. This agreement collapsed in 2002.

In August 2003, multinational negotiations began anew to persuade the regime to suspend its nuclear program and an agreement was reached in 2005.

Since 1990, most countries in Southeast Asia have experienced strong economic growth, with the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam experiencing the strongest growth.

However, serious troubles remain in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos.

In recent years, some Southeast Asian societies have once again moved toward democracy, but serious troubles remain.

Since the 1990s, South Asia has seen a number of important developments, including the growth of economic power of India, the rivalry between India and Pakistan, and the instability in Pakistan.

The key developments in South Asia since the 1990s include the growing economic power of India, the continuing rivalry between India and Pakistan, and the instability in Pakistan.