Geopolitics of North Korea
November 16, 2025
Korea was a single nation when it was taken over by the Japanese Empire in 1910.
After Japan’s defeat in World War II, Korea was divided into occupation zones of the Soviet Union and the US, with plans for an independent state.
Because of Cold War political disagreements, the two zones formed their own governments, claiming to rule the whole of Korea.
1950: North Korea invaded South Korea with equipment and training provided by the Soviet Union.
The Korean War (1950-53):
The US supported South Korea, eventually sending 1.8 million US soldiers.
China supported North Korea, with an estimated 3 million troops.
Both sides were close to conquering the entire Korea at some point.
Around 2 million civilians were killed in the war, including mass executions.
The countries’ borders remained similar to pre-war division.
No formal peace deal was signed.
North Korea has been actively developing nuclear weapons since the 1970s.
It has also developed a range of missiles and other delivery systems.
2006: first successful test of a nuclear weapon by North Korea.
Why does North Korea have nukes?
Regime survival: threatening opponents with nuclear strikes to prevent any aggression against North Korea, especially from the US.
Military power: nuclear weapons compensate for a comparatively weaker and less effective army.
Propaganda: at home, the arsenal of nuclear weapons is used as a symbol of power.
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Politics and society
North Korea is a one-party, dynastic totalitarian regime.
North Korea has been ruled by the Kim family, with power passed from father to son twice.
The current leader is Kim Jong Un.
Two key ideologies shape the regime:
Juche: promotes political, economic and military independence of North Korea from the rest of the world.
Songun: promotes the central role of the military in politics and resource distribution.
The North Korean regime holds power through a system of political repression that includes surveillance, control of information, forced labour and executions.
Whole families can be punished for the supposed crimes of one member.
There is a system of social class based on loyalty to the regime (“songbun”) which determines the person’s access to jobs and resources.
TV, local internet, newspapers, and radio have only state-approved content.
Military
North Korea has the 4th largest army in the world, with 1.2 million soldiers.
Its military still largely depends on Soviet-era equipment.
North Korea spends between 15-25% of its GDP on defence, compared to roughly 2.3% in South Korea.
Economy
North Korea is one of the poorest countries in the world, with a GDP per capita of around $771.
Around 60% of the population lives in poverty.
North Korea has a centrally planned economy, meaning the state controls production, prices and distribution.
North Korea earns 13% of its GDP through cyber operations. Its state-linked hacking groups target foreign organisations to steal data and money.
So far in 2025, North Korean hackers have stolen more than $2 billion in cryptocurrency.
North Korea is subject to international sanctions in response to its nuclear program.
Military modernisation program
North Korea is shifting from an outdated force toward a more modern, technology-centred one.
It is undergoing a naval update, focusing on a doctrine of long-range power projection.
In 2025, North Korea introduced its first strategic nuclear submarine.
Kim Jong Un declared the integration of artificial intelligence and unmanned systems a top military priority.
United States
The US strategy toward North Korea relies on deterrence (threatening a response).
Troop presence in Korea and in the region
Regular joint military exercises with South Korea and Japan.
Goal: improving coordination between the allies, demonstrating the ability to carry out a joint military response.
Efforts to establish stable relations between the two countries have repeatedly failed.
Russia
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the relationship between North Korea and Russia has deepened.
The partnership is driven by mutual need:
North Korea needs basic aid such as food, electricity, and fuel, as well as diplomatic backing.
Russia needs munitions, materials and manpower to support the war effort.
Since 2023, North Korea has sent $9.8 billion worth of weapons and ammunition to Russia.
North Korea has sent approximately 5.8 million artillery ammunition, supplying almost 40% of the rounds that Russia has fired since 2023
In turn, Russia transfers civil aid and resources to North Korea.
However, it only amounts to an estimated $1 billion so far.
Russia likely provided some assistance in the production of drones, missiles, submarines and warships.
Russia is also training North Korean troops in electronic warfare and drone operations.
In June 2024, North Korea and Russia signed a defence agreement.
North Korean soldiers were sent to fight in the Kursk region of Russia after Ukraine successfully invaded part of it in 2024.
Around 10,000 North Koreans were fighting in Russia at one stage, but their presence is limited since 2025.
At least 600 North Korean troops have died so far.
China
China is North Korea’s major economic partner.
China accounts for 98% of North Korea’s total trade.
In September 2025, Kim Jong Un attended China’s military parade in Beijing.
The meeting renewed partnership between the countries after years of tensions.
North Korea closed all its borders during the COVID-19 pandemic, while also stopping trade with China.
China repeatedly called for the denuclearisation of North Korea and supported UN sanctions against it
China’s strategy toward North Korea focuses on:
Countering US military presence in the region
Avoiding instability on its own borders
China views the Korean peninsula as an important part of its regional security interests.
North Korea functions as a strategic buffer that keeps US forces at a distance from China’s border.
Therefore, keeping this division is important to maintain regional stability along its border.
China and North Korea signed a defence agreement in 2021.
This is China’s only formal military commitment.
Author Simone Chiusa
Editor Anton Kutuzov
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