Why North Korea abandoned its quest to lead the ‘third world’
Author Benjamin Young discusses his new book, “Guns, Guerillas, and the Great Leader: North Korea and the Third World”
Kim Il Sung with President of Indonesia Sukarno in Bandung, Indonesia in April 1965 | Image: KCTV
North Korea has a reputation for being a so-called “hermit kingdom,” with an official ideology of “self-reliance” and little authorized contact between its everyday citizens and the outside world.
But the country’s roots lie in Soviet and Chinese support, and former North Korean leader Kim Il Sung once dreamed of and worked towards a nation that stood prominently in the “developing countries” circuit.
North Korea has a reputation for being a so-called “hermit kingdom,” with an official ideology of “self-reliance” and little authorized contact between its everyday citizens and the outside world.
But the country’s roots lie in Soviet and Chinese support, and former North Korean leader Kim Il Sung once dreamed of and worked towards a nation that stood prominently in the “developing countries” circuit.
Try unlimited access
Only $1 for four weeks
-
Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations,
analysis
-
Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period
-
The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in
the loop
-
Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
-
Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting,
investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe
now
All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.
© Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved.
No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for
commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group.
SHARE
COPY LINK
X
MASTODON
