North Korea’s Operating Principle: ‘National Interest’ Takes Precedence Over Ideology
Many people believe that North Korea prioritizes ideologies such as communism or socialism above all else. However, experts have recently been emphasizing that North Korea is a "state" that values practical national interests more than ideology. This perspective provides a new standard for understanding North Korea's behavior.
North Korea is not merely a political movement group, but a state with an established system. A state must make realistic choices to maintain its regime and manage its people. Therefore, the major decisions North Korea makes are often strategies to protect the regime's survival and economic interests, rather than to achieve ideological goals.
This perspective is crucial when analyzing inter-Korean relations. The reasons why North Korea sometimes engages in provocations and at other times attempts dialogue should not be interpreted solely as ideological conflict. Accurately identifying the specific benefits they seek to gain from the international community can be the key to resolving issues on the Korean Peninsula.
This pragmatic attitude is also evident in North Korea's recent relations with Russia and China. North Korea is strengthening cooperative ties regardless of past ideological differences if it benefits their economy and security. This is an example showing that North Korea operates strictly based on its own interests on the international stage.
In conclusion, it can be dangerous to view North Korea simply as a group obsessed with ideology. It is necessary to recognize North Korea as a cold-headed state pursuing its interests and to analyze its strategies objectively. Only then can the South Korean government establish more effective North Korea policies amidst the changing international landscape.