compare and contrast essay north and south korea

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North Korean vs. South Korean Economies: What's the Difference?

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North Korean and South Korean Economies: An Overview

South Korea and North Korea took dramatically different paths following the end of fighting in the Korean War in 1953.   When it comes to their economies and living standards, they could hardly be more different.

The two Koreas are separated by the demilitarized zone, a four-kilometer wide strip running along the 38th parallel which splits the Korean peninsula roughly in half.   To the south of the DMZ, South Korea operates one of the world's most advanced economies, while to the north its neighbor is a military dictatorship that keeps a tight fist on the economy. The North continues to face challenges in food and nutrition among other difficulties.

Key Takeaways

• North Korea's economy is isolated and tightly controlled. It is generally unable to meet the basic needs of its people.  
• Economists find it difficult to analyze the North Korean economy because data is either non-existent, unreliable, or outdated.
• South Korea's economy is one of the world's most advanced and productive, ranking 12th globally in terms of annual output.  
• South Korea's economic growth depends heavily on exports, and the nation leads the world in shipments of semiconductors and memory chips.  

North Korean Economy

Long dominated by the Kim dynasty, North Korea is one of the most isolated countries in the world. Kim Jong-un's military dictatorship keeps tight control of the economy , including almost all aspects of production and distribution.

The Kim family has long prioritized its own political survival—and, relatedly, its ambition to develop nuclear weapons—over the nation's economic development. Because North Korea is so isolated—partly because of international sanctions over its nuclear program—and what little data the government releases isn't considered reliable, not much is known for sure about its annual economic output.

In 2015, the CIA estimated that the country's GDP was approximately $40 billion.  

Lacking the Basics

With the exception of a short period in the 1960s, when its economy briefly eclipsed that of its southern neighbor, North Korea has been generally unable to meet the needs of its people .   North Korea's economy suffered a devastating recession in the 1990s, when it shrank by nearly a third, and starvation is thought to have claimed the lives of several hundred thousand people.  

Things have improved but deprivation is still common. According to the World Bank, more than half of North Koreans lacked access to electricity in 2017, while recently installed Chinese generators supply more than a third of the electricity in the nation's capital, Pyongyang.    

Help From China, Other Nations

The North Korean regime espouses the doctrine of  Juche, or self-reliance, but the state regularly receives aid and assistance from international bodies like the United Nations , along with a handful of countries.   It relies heavily on China, its biggest supporter, for economic and diplomatic assistance.  

Small Steps Toward Liberalization

The North Korean government has allowed small-scale free-market activities in recent years, giving rise to a growing middle class of traders and small entrepreneurs. It has also been reported that Kim is seeking to take further steps to develop and reform the economy.

Any path forward in developing North Korea's economy is likely to begin with exploiting its natural resources, estimated to be worth trillions of dollars. This is one reason why neighboring countries like China and Russia are enthusiastic about investing in North Korea, particularly its dysfunctional transportation network.

South Korea's "Miracle" Economy

South Korea's economic transformation since the Korean War has been dubbed the " Miracle on the Han River ." Once wracked by poverty and political chaos, South Korea has joined the "trillion dollar club" of the world's leading economies, and enjoys membership in the Group of 20.

South Korea now has the world's 12th largest economy in terms of gross domestic product, and is home to some of the world's most iconic brands, including Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motors.   It is the world's top exporter of semiconductors (although it is facing increasing competition from China) and memory chips and one of the world's top car exporters.

While North Korea's trade with the outside world has almost totally ceased, South Korea has become one of the world's most important exporters.  

Challenges for South Korea

A robust democracy, South Korea ranks high in economic freedom, although the government still plays a role in developing industrial strategy.   The nation depends heavily on exports, which account for about 40% of GDP. So any slump in world trade usually hits the country hard. In recent years, South Korean policymakers have stressed the need to develop alternative growth strategies, including by strengthening domestic demand, but little progress has been made so far.

Growth in South Korea has been slowing and is expected to slow further—something most advanced economies experience. According to the CIA Factbook, growth past 2018 is expected to be in the range of 2% to 3% annually.   The country is also struggling with socio-economic issues including youth unemployment, poverty among its elderly, and unfavorable demographics.

Imperial War Museums. " A Short History of the Korean War ."

Our Documents. " Armistice Agreement for the Restoration of the South Korean State (1953) ."

United Nations. " DPR Korea Needs and Priorities Plan 2020 ."

The World Bank. " Gross Domestic Product 2019 ."

World Economic Forum. " How South Korea can sustain strong growth ."

United Nations Documents. " United Nations Security Council: Resolution 2397 (2017) Adopted by the Security Council at its 8151st meeting, on 22 December 2017 ."

The MIT Press Journals. " Understanding North Korea's Economic Crisis ."

U.S. Energy Information Administration. " North Korea ."

The World Bank. " State of Electricity Access Report 2017 ," Page 16 and 45.

United Nations. " United Nations in DPR Korea ."

Council on Foreign Relations. " Understanding the China-North Korea Relationship ."

The World Bank. " GDP (current US$) - Korea, Rep. ."

The Heritage Foundation. " 2020 Index of Economic Freedom ."

CIA Factbook. " East Asia/Southeast Asia:: Korea, South ."

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South Korea vs North Korea: A Detailed Comparison

The Korean Peninsula’s division into South and North Korea provides a study in stark contrasts. From their political systems and economies to social freedoms and global interactions, the two nations differ significantly. This article provides an in-depth comparison of these two countries.

Political Systems

North korea.

Officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), North Korea operates under a unique socialist system, often referred to as ‘Juche,’ or self-reliance. The state maintains tight control over all aspects of life, including the economy, media, and citizen mobility.

Leadership Structure

At the helm of North Korea’s political system is a single leader who holds absolute power. After the founder Kim Il-sung, his son Kim Jong-il and grandson Kim Jong-un have maintained a firm grip on power.

Role of the Military

North Korea’s military holds a significant role in the country’s politics, often referred to as the ‘military-first’ policy. This approach prioritizes military strength and allocates a significant portion of the country’s resources to defense and military advancement.

South Korea

On the other hand, South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a democratic republic. It features a vibrant democratic system with regular, competitive elections, an active civil society, and a free press.

South Korea’s government is headed by a president who is elected by direct public vote. The current President, as of 2023, is __ . The country also has a multi-party system, ensuring diverse representation in its National Assembly.

Role of Civil Society

In contrast to North Korea, South Korean civil society plays an essential role in shaping public policy. Numerous non-governmental organizations actively advocate for a variety of social, environmental, and political causes.

Economic Structures

North Korea’s economy is centrally planned, with the state controlling all means of production. While the country has attempted some market-oriented reforms, these efforts have been minimal.

Industry and Agriculture

Most of North Korea’s economy is based on heavy industry and agriculture. The state owns and operates most farms and factories, with workers receiving goods and services in lieu of wages.

International Trade

North Korea’s international trade is severely limited due to global sanctions and its self-imposed isolation.

South Korea, on the other hand, boasts a robust, high-income market economy with a strong emphasis on global trade.

Industry and Technology

South Korea is home to some of the world’s largest tech companies and is renowned for its innovations in technology, automobile manufacturing, shipbuilding, and other heavy industries.

South Korea has substantial international trade ties, being the world’s 5th largest exporter and 8th largest importer.

Societal Norms and Freedoms

North Korean society is heavily controlled. Media is state-run, access to global internet is non-existent, and freedom of speech is curtailed.

Travel and Mobility

North Korean citizens’ internal and international movement is strictly controlled, and permission must be granted for travel.

Human Rights

International bodies have often criticized North Korea for its record on human rights, with concerns about political prison camps, public executions, and lack of freedom of expression.

South Korean society is comparatively open, with a high degree of personal freedom. Its citizens enjoy access to a vibrant and diverse media landscape, freedom of speech, and minimal restrictions on movement.

South Koreans can freely travel within their country and abroad, making the nation one of the world’s largest passport holders.

South Korea has a strong human rights record, although it faces issues such as gender inequality and discrimination against minorities.

Communication and Internet Access

North Korea maintains a stringent control over information. The state controls all media, and internet access is virtually non-existent, except for a few elite members of society.

South Korea is known for its advanced digital infrastructure, boasting one of the world’s highest internet penetration rates, with near-universal access to high-speed internet.

Comparing South and North Korea highlights the profound differences between these two nations on the same peninsula. As such, it offers an intriguing look into the complex dynamics of global politics, economics, and society.

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Why Are North and South Korea Divided?

By: Sarah Pruitt

Updated: June 25, 2021 | Original: February 9, 2018

North and South Korea have been divided for more than 70 years, ever since the Korean Peninsula became an unexpected casualty of the escalating Cold War between two rival superpowers: the Soviet Union and the United States.

A Unified Korea

For centuries before the division, the peninsula was a single, unified Korea, ruled by generations of dynastic kingdoms. Occupied by Japan after the Russo-Japanese War in 1905 and formally annexed five years later, Korea chafed under Japanese colonial rule for 35 years—until the end of World War II , when its division into two nations began.

“The catalyzing incident is the decision that was made—really, without the Koreans involved—between the Soviet Union and the United States to divide Korea into two occupation zones,” says Michael Robinson, professor emeritus of East Asian Studies and History at Indiana University, who has written extensively on both modern Korea and its history.

Why Was Korea Divided?

In August 1945, the two allies “in name only” (as Robinson puts it) divided control over the Korean Peninsula. Over the next three years (1945-48), the Soviet Army and its proxies set up a communist regime in the area north of latitude 38˚ N, or the 38th parallel. South of that line, a military government was formed, supported directly by the United States.

While the Soviet policies were widely popular with the bulk of the North’s laborer and peasant population, most middle-class Koreans fled south of the 38th parallel, where the majority of the Korean population resides today. Meanwhile, the U.S.-supported regime in the South clearly favored anti-communist, rightist elements, according to Robinson.

“The ultimate objective was for the Soviet Union and the United States to leave, and let the Koreans figure it out,” he explains. “The trouble was that the Cold War intervened….And everything that was tried to create a middle ground or to try to reunify the peninsula is thwarted by both the Soviet Union and the United States not wanting to give in to the other.”

In 1948, the United States called for a United Nation-sponsored vote for all Koreans to determine the future of the peninsula. After the North refused to participate, the South formed its own government in Seoul, led by the strongly anti-communist Syngman Rhee.

The North responded in kind, installing the former communist guerrilla Kim Il Sung as the first premier of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the capital of Pyongyang.

The Korean War (1950-53), which killed at least 2.5 million people, did little to resolve the question of which regime represented the “true” Korea. It did, however, firmly establish the United States as the permanent b ête noire of North Korea , as the U.S. military bombed villages, towns and cities across the northern half of the peninsula.

“They leveled the country,” Robinson says. “They destroyed every city.” The armistice that ended that conflict in 1953 left the peninsula divided much as before, with a demilitarized zone (DMZ) running roughly along the 38th parallel.

Unlike another Cold War-era separation, between East and West Germany, there has been extremely little movement across the DMZ between North and South Korea since 1953. Robinson describes the border as “hermetically sealed,” which helps to explain the drastically different paths the two nations have taken, and the continuing divide between them.

Hermit Kingdom

With continuing strong ties to the West (and an ongoing U.S. military presence), South Korea developed a robust economy, and in recent decades has made steps toward becoming a fully democratic nation.

Meanwhile, North Korea remained an isolated “hermit kingdom”—particularly after the collapse of the Soviet bloc in the early 1990s—and economically underdeveloped, as well as a virtual police state ruled by a single family for three generations.

The North’s dedicated efforts to develop a nuclear program have also greatly heightened tensions with South Korea and its allies, particularly the United States.

HISTORY Vault: Korea: The Forgotten War

Five years after WWII, America is once again plunged into bloody battle. Robert Stack hosts this penetrating documentary about the war in Korea.

Korea Today

Despite efforts at diplomacy under South Korea’s current president, Moon Jae-in, the stark differences between the two Koreas were on full display in the run-up to the 2018 Winter  Olympic Games . Even as South Koreans began welcoming athletes from around the world to the Winter Games, Kim Jong Un’s regime in the North put on a military parade in Pyongyang’s historic Kim Il Sung square.

As CNN reported , four of the country’s missiles, the Hwasong-15, were on display in the parade as Kim watched from a balcony, then spoke about the evils of imperialism.

Appropriately, the parade commemorated the day Kim’s grandfather, Kim Il Sung, formed the Korean People’s Army (KPA) in 1948—a fateful year in the history of Korea’s division.

“Starting in 1948, there are two established state organizations run by Koreans, each claiming to be the legitimate leaders of the people of the whole nation,” Robinson says. “And frankly, nothing’s changed since then.”

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North and South: Contrasts in Korea

By Pete Bell Oct 18, 2017

As tensions on the Korean peninsula continue to mount, there is an increasing focus on the North Korean regime under Kim Jong-un.

The country has strict controls on communications, which have been criticized by human rights bodies such as   Amnesty International .

The first cellular network was launched in North Korea in 2002 by fixed line licensee Northeast Asia Telephone and Telecommunications, but this was shut down by the government less than two years later, after an explosion on a train was thought to have been triggered remotely by a wireless handset.

Services were reintroduced in December 2008, this time by a cellco named Koryolink, whose owners include Egypt-based Orascom Telecom Media and Technology and the state-controlled Korea Post & Telecoms Corporation. While its 3G network extends across much of North Korea’s territory, customer take-up has been sluggish, with only an estimated 3.9 million users having signed up to its services by mid-2017. This equates to a wireless penetration rate of just 15.5 percent.

Contrast this with mobile networks across the border, where user numbers have passed 62.3 million and the penetration figure is over 120 percent.

Koryolink has no international roaming agreements, meaning users are limited to domestic calling. While some North Koreans near the Chinese border can use contraband handsets to make international calls via Chinese cellular networks, Amnesty International reports that the government monitors such traffic and if caught penalties can be harsh.

Internet Blackout

There is an even greater contrast between the two Koreas when looking at the fixed broadband sector.

The hyper-connected South Korean market is home to more than 21.4 million users, many of which use fiber technology that offers speeds of up to 1Gbps.  

The hyper-connected South Korean market is home to more than 21.4 million users, many of which use fiber technology that offers speeds of up to 1Gbps. The broadband penetration rate stands at 114 percent.

In North Korea, meanwhile, fixed internet connectivity is strictly controlled and largely limited to domestic content; access is only available under special authorization and restricted mainly to government, military, and higher education facilities, as well as foreign tourists.

In September 2016   the BBC reported   that North Korea had only around 30 websites that could be viewed from outside the country. The sites range from government-censored news content to   recipe pages . Anyone keen to sample local favorites such as rice cake soup or grilled sparrow need look no further.

Pete Bell is a Research Analyst for TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database and also contributes to the daily CommsUpdate newsletter. He has a particular interest in wireless broadband and was responsible for TeleGeography’s 4G Research Service until it was integrated into GlobalComms.

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5 things to know about North and South Korea

Assistant Professor, American University School of International Service

Disclosure statement

Ji-Young Lee received funding from the Academy of Korean Studies (Competitive Research Grant, 2013), for a book project on historical international order in Asia.

American University School of International Service and American University provide funding as members of The Conversation US.

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Editor’s note: Professor Ji-Young Lee of American University answers five questions to help put issues related to North Korea’s nuclear weapons capabilities into context.

Why is there a North and a South Korea?

Before there was a North and South Korea, the peninsula was ruled as a dynasty known as Chosŏn, which existed for more than five centuries, until 1910. This period, during which an independent Korea had diplomatic relations with China and Japan , ended with imperial Japan’s annexation of the peninsula. Japan’s colonial rule lasted 35 years.

When Japan surrendered to the Allies in 1945, the Korean peninsula was split into two zones of occupation – the U.S.-controlled South Korea and the Soviet-controlled North Korea. Amid the growing Cold War tensions between Moscow and Washington, in 1948, two separate governments were established in Pyongyang and Seoul. Kim Il-Sung, leader of North Korea, was a former guerrilla who fought under Chinese and Russian command . Syngman Rhee , a Princeton University-educated staunch anti-communist, became the first leader of South Korea.

In an attempt to unify the Korean peninsula under his communist regime, Kim Il-Sung invaded the South in June 1950 with Soviet aid. This brought South Korea and the United States, backed by United Nations, to fight against the newly founded People’s Republic of China and North Korea. An armistice agreement ended hostilities in the Korean War in 1953. Technically speaking, however, the two Koreas are still at war.

Beyond the political divide, are Koreans in the North and South all that culturally different? If so, how?

Koreans in the South and North have led separate lives for almost 70 years. Korean history and a collective memory of having been a unified, independent state for over a millennium, however, are a powerful reminder to Koreans that they have shared identity, culture and language.

For example, in both Koreas the history of having resisted Japanese colonialism is an important source of nationalism. Both North and South Korean students learn about the 1919 March 1 Independence Movement in school.

Consider, too, the Korean language. About 54 percent of North Korean defectors in South Korea say that they have no major difficulty understanding Korean used in South Korea. Only 1 percent responded that they cannot understand it at all.

However, the divergent politics of North and South Korea have shaped differences in Koreans’ outlook on life and the world since the split. South Korea’s vibrant democracy is a result of the mass movement of students, intellectuals and middle-class citizens. In North Korea , the state propaganda and ideology of Juche, or “self-reliance,” were used to consolidate the Kim family’s one-man rule, while reproducing a certain mode of thinking designed to help the regime survive.

What have we learned from North Korean defectors who settled in South Korea?

As of September 2016, an estimated 29,830 North Korean defectors are living in South Korea. From them, we’ve learned the details of people’s everyday life in one of the world’s most closed societies. For example, they’ve reported that despite crackdowns, more North Koreans are now watching South Korean TV dramas.

In North Korea, repression, surveillance and punishment are pervasive features of social life. The state relies heavily on coercion and terror as a means of sustaining the regime.

Still, not all North Koreans are interested in defecting. According to anthropologist Sandra Fahy , interviewees said they left the North reluctantly driven primarily by famine and economic reasons, rather than political reasons. A majority of them missed home in the North.

However, Thae Yong-ho, a former North Korean diplomat who defected to the South in 2016, believes that Kim Jong-un’s North Korea could face a popular uprising or elite defection as North Koreans have increasingly become disillusioned with the regime.

What is the history of U.S. relations with South Korea, and where do they stand now?

The purpose of the U.S.-South Korea alliance has changed little since its formation in 1953. This has much to do with continuing threats from North Korea.

However, despite differences in their approach to North Korea, President George W. Bush and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun took a major step toward transforming the Cold War alliance into a “ comprehensive strategic alliance .” Under President Barack Obama and South Korean presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, many believed the U.S.-South Korea alliance was at its best. Under their leadership, Washington and Seoul agreed to expand the alliance’s scope to cover nontraditional threats, like terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and other global challenges like piracy and epidemic disease, while coordinating and standing firm against North Korea’s provocations.

Now, with Moon Jae-in and Donald Trump as new presidents of South Korea and the United States, there is a greater degree of uncertainty. Among other things, Trump criticized the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, while insisting Seoul pay for THAAD, a U.S. missile defense system deployed in South Korea . Moon, whose parents fled the North during the Korean War, is likely to put inter-Korean reconciliation as one of his top priorities. This may collide with the current U.S. approach of imposing sanctions against North Korea.

Is reunification of the two Koreas feasible?

More than half of South Koreans believe that reunification is necessary. But they don’t think it can happen anytime soon. According to a 2017 Unification Perception Survey conducted by Seoul National University’s Institute for Peace and Unification Studies, only 2.3 percent of South Koreans believe that unification is possible “within 5 years,” while 13.6 percent responded “within 10 years.”

Still, 24.7 percent of South Koreans don’t think that unification is possible.

Three noteworthy developments toward reunification include the July 4 South-North Joint Communique in 1972, the Basic Agreement in 1991 and the first inter-Korean summit in 2000. However, these past attempts show that the momentum of inter-Korean reconciliation has not been sustainable in the face of North Korea’s defiant nuclear provocations.

This is an updated version of an article originally published on July 5, 2017 .

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Comparative Study Between South and North KOREA

The content of the paper is the Updated and Comprehensive Comparative Details between the two countries: South and North Korea

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Il can be criticized for many failings, but if one of his goals has been keeping his country in the global media spotlight, he has been wildly successful. Of course, North Korea gets this international attention for all the wrong reasons: military provocations, a clandestine nuclear program, a bankrupt economy, an atrocious record on human rights, and an eccentric if not deranged leadership. Some of the accusations leveled against North Korea in the Western media and popular press may have a basis in fact, others are more questionable. But until recently, substantive knowledge of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was notable mainly for its absence. Before the 1990s, little was written about the DPRK beyond official North Korean propaganda and its opposite, anti-North Korean propaganda from the South. Much of this has changed, both because of new sources of information (including material from North Korea's former communist allies),...

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The paper examines the USA and North Korea Relations from 1945 till date. It discusses the Korean peninsula under the control of Japan and China. It analyzes San Francisco Treaty and USA intervention. The relationship between USA and North Korea in the 20 th and 21 st Centuries came to focus. The study relied on primary sources like oral interview and secondary sources such as books, newspapers, journal articles, speeches, theses, dissertations. It was found that her geographical position placed her in a precarious situation hence Japan, China and Russia exploited before USA intervention. It was also found that the involvement of USA in Korean civil war against North Korea strained the relationship between the two countries. It was found that over 3 millions North Koreans died in that war because of USA involvement. Again, the dismissal of General Douglas by Harry Truman, who was planning to use nuclear weapons on North Korea came to focus. In conclusion, the constant test of rockets by North Korea in Korean peninsula and USA imposition of sanctions on her, demanding full denuclearization before the lifting of sanctions strained the relationship between the two countries.

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Compare And Contrast North And South Korea

The North Korea is dramatically different compared to the South Korea. Unlike China, which is rapidly developing its economy and diverging from the self-contained world, until this day North Korea still remains undeveloped and backward. Many of those who are not familiar with the affairs in the South and North Koreas might not understand why both regions, which are adjacent to one another, differs so much in terms of political, economic, and social developments.

North Korea is a country which focuses heavily on its military forces, promotes a government succeeded by one family line, one autocrat, and one party, and rejects foreign innovations and investments taken place within the country.

These, are all the characteristics that lead North Korea to its current backwardness. Compared to South Korean, North Korea was better off after the division of Korea partly because of its physical circumstances. As it could be seen from the geography of Korea, the division between both regions cuts off South Korea from the connecting land.

South Korea was then left as an “island” relying on solely foreign support mainly from the United States. North Korea, on the other hand, had China as its neighbor, allowing it to preserve Korea’s historical origins and its Chinese heritage. The territory within the North Korea border also sustained high level of confidence because the Japanese had previously focused on the northern region for “industrial development due to its wealth of natural resources, especially its mineral deposits and hydroelectric potential. As a result, it had led to the emergence of northern Koreans whom acquired skills to operate in the industrial fields, leaving North Korea a considerable advantage in terms of human capital.

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As mentioned that North Korea was geographical connected to China and the Soviet Union, North Korea benefited from the aids given by these two countries and was politically and economically influenced by them. Additionally, China…

The Differences Between North And South Korea

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• Arts & Humanities

North Korea vs. South Korea: A Comparison

27 Aug 2022

• Arts & Humanities

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Academic level: High School

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North and South Korea are two countries possessing great histories and controversies. In general, the two countries are opposite of one another with regards to similarities and differences. The two countries were involved in a great war which later defined their current status. South Korea initiated development after the Great War with North Korea. Since then, the country is currently among the economic elites in the world. On the other hand, South Korea has the distinction of being the most corrupt nation in the world. The rift that exists with regards to political affiliation and structure, economic distinction and the military strength between the two countries indicates their similarities and differences as countries located in Asia. 

The government structures of countries have similarities and differences. First, North Korea has a single-party government while South Korea has a president in charge of the country's affairs. Further, the states are similar in that they all have provinces. However, North Korea has less number of cities than South Korea. North Korea has two cities compared to South Korea which has six metropolitan cities ( Kim, 2016). Further, the countries share the same date as an independent. According to history, both countries gained independent on 15 th of August 1945. Both countries were under the Japanese Colony. Also, the states are set apart by the manner at which the governments utilize the laws guiding the states. For instance, South Korea’s legal system is mixed ( Haggard & You, 2015). It combines European civil law, Classical Chinese thought, and Anglo-American law. On the other side, North Korea has a civil law system which has its basis on the Prussian model. Such a system influences the communist legal theory and Japanese traditions. 

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Other than the government structure, the two countries also have similarities and differences with regards to their economic statuses. First, South Korea has emerged as a stable state economically joining the world richest countries such as America. The state is well connected with the current president encouraging companies and local business to invest in a global tour to import and export raw materials and products. The current GDP of South Korea stands at 2.07 trillion U.S dollars. From the finance statistics from this country, the economic growth rate stands at 3%. 

Further, the country accumulates most of its resources from service provision which contribute to a whooping GDP of 59.1%. The services provision is followed by Industry and Agriculture at 38.2% and 2.2% respectively. Also, the South Korea state has more external trade partners than North Korea ( Lee et al., 2016). Examples include Japan, China, Germany, and the United States. On the other hand, North Korea has languished in poverty due to civil strife and wars. The country spends most of its resources in inventing military machines and wars than improving services provisions for the citizens. Like South Korea, North Korea has trading partners though fewer than those in South Korea ( Kim et al., 2017). Unlike South Korea, North Korea is less connected to other countries in the world. South Korea has a low GDP with a lot of debts. 

Lastly, the two nations also have similarities and differences with regards to their military strength. North Korea has ten nuclear warheads while South Korea possesses none. Both countries spend a lot on military resources. South Korea leads in military spending at $36.8 billion while North Korea stands at $25 billion ( Yoon, 2017). Further, both countries have a large number of active militaries with North Korea leading. Similarly, both countries use air, land and marine forces. 

In summary, North Korea and South Korea are prominent countries with similarities and numerous differences with regards to military, economic and political structure. From the comparison, it is evident that though both have unique political structure, South Korea has an edge in military strength and economic power. 

References 

Haggard, S., & Yu, J. S. (2015). Freedom of expression in South Korea. Journal of Contemporary Asia , 45 (1), 167-179. 

Kim, N. H. J. (2016). Naturalizing Korean ethnicity and making ‘ethnic’difference: A comparison of North Korean settlement and foreign bride incorporation policies in South Korea. Asian Ethnicity , 17 (2), 185-198. 

Kim, Y., Baek, T. H., Yoon, S., Oh, S., & Choi, Y. K. (2017). Assertive environmental advertising and reactance: Differences between South Koreans and Americans. Journal of Advertising , 46 (4), 550-564. 

Lee, Y. I., Choi, T., Lim, H. S., & Orihashi, Y. (2016). Detrital zircon geochronology and Nd isotope geochemistry of the basal succession of the Taebaeksan Basin, South Korea: Implications for the Gondwana linkage of the Sino-Korean (North China) block during the Neoproterozoic–early Cambrian. Paleogeography, paleoclimatology, palaeoecology , 441 , 770-786. 

Yoon, D. K. (2017). The constitution of North Korea: Its changes and implications. In Public Law in East Asia (pp. 59-75). Routledge. 

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Difference Between North Korea and South Korea

The Korean Peninsula was at one point in history a single unified entity. Until World War 2 happened. The Northern half was under occupation by the communist USSR, and the Southern half was occupied by the United States. 

The occupation and the subsequent Korean War (1950-1953) ensured that the two nations would take diverging paths that have set them apart to this day.

In this article, we will discuss in great detail about the differences between North Korea and South Korea within the context of the IAS Exam         

Differences between North Korea and South Korea

Both North and South Korea are in the news whenever the tensions between the two escalate. As a result, questions pertaining to them have been regularly featured as current affairs-based questions in the IAS Exam. Aspirants can refer to the following links and other allied articles given below to stay updated about such topics.

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FAQ about North Korea and South Korea

What is the major difference between north korea and south korea economies, is south korea part of asean.

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8 Main Differences Between North Korea And South Korea

You most likely already know that even though North and South Korea are neighbors, the life in these two countries is quite different. But how different exactly, and where does this come from? I’ll answer all these questions in this article.

The main difference between North and South Korea is that North Korea is a dictatorship, ruled by the supreme leader having complete control over the people. South Korea is a democracy, with almost double the population and open to tourism.

Keep reading to learn more about these main differences and how we can explain them.

Let’s start with one of the most obvious differences, a border divides the country. It has been this way for the past 70 years. The split between North and South Korea started to form at the end of the Second World War.

The South had aligned themselves with the Americans and Allies. But the North had chosen to work with the Soviet Union. The North formed the Korean People’s Army (KPA). In 1950, they decided to attack and try to invade South Korea. The United Nations responded and armies from around the world sent troops to defend the South.

The conflict would continue until 1953 when an armistice was signed. It was agreed that Korea would remain a divided country. A border was built along the 38th parallel. Today, though, these tensions still exist. The border, known as the demilitarized zone (DMZ) is one of the most heavily armed borders on the planet.

Global tensions still exist on the Korean peninsula. The Americans frequently use South Korea to conduct training drills. They have made it clear that they won’t tolerate any attacks on South Korea. On the other hand, North Korea develop nuclear missiles, which they have test-fired, raising global concern.

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After the country was divided, deep cultural differences started to form between the two Koreas. More freedom in South Korea saw more creative exports come to the fore. This has led to several cultural movements that originated in South Korea and have since spread around the world. This includes:

• K-Pop. This is also known as Korean Pop. It’s spawned global acts like BTS and Blackpink.
• Television. Lately, South Korea has become associated with high-quality TV and movie productions. This includes “Squid Game”, one of the most popular shows in Netflix history.
• Fashion. People in South Korea aren’t afraid to experiment with fashion. They have become known for their use of miniskirts and other colorful items. Though, over recent years they have started to adopt more western fashion ideals.

On the other side of the border, though, the culture is far from thriving. In fact, the North Korean government has banned jeans and mini-skirts. North Korea isn’t known for producing cultural items. This is because the government controls much of what the population sees. This limits the amount of creativity they can express.

However, some aspects unite both sides of the border. Important dates are widely celebrated. For example, New Year’s, Thanksgiving, and cultural days like Daeboreum are popular. Each comes with its own set of customs.

Sadly, daily life in North Korea is pretty miserable. There is a lot of corruption within the government. This means that the best items will be going to the officials at the top. But the regular people will be left struggling. Sadly, there is a lot of poverty, with many people struggling to get by.

Another big problem is the control of the government. North Korean leaders can influence the type of content their people can view. While they do have the internet, anything critical of the government will be banned. Their internet system also isn’t connected to the rest of the world. Interestingly, this has sparked a real estate boom near diplomatic houses, as people hope to use the wi-fi to get an uncensored version of the internet.

The good news is that South Korea doesn’t have any of these issues. People are free to search for whatever they want, without government control. The population is prosperous and free to explore their creative endeavors.

Population Size

Another area of stark difference is the size of the population in each country. North Korea has a relatively small population. There are around 25.8 million people. On the other side of the border, a thriving South Korea has double the amount of people. They have 51.8 million citizens.

South Korea has turned into a tourist destination. People from around the world are attracted by the vibrant city. There are plenty of tourist attractions including:

• Changdeokgung Palace
• Bukchon Hanok Village
• National Museum of Korea
• Lotte World

With friendly people and stunning natural environments, it’s estimated that tourism is an important part of the South Korean economy. They receive around 11 million tourists each year and are the 20 th most popular tourist destination on the planet . 

On the other hand, North Korea isn’t as popular with tourists. The bulk of people visiting the country come from China. It’s estimated that less than 10,000 people from the West visit each year. It should be noted that they will often be subject to severe scrutiny. Often, there will even be spies located in the hotel.

It’s also worth briefly considering the religion of the two countries. People in North Korea don’t have a lot of choices about the type of religion they pursue. Officially, it should be regarded as an atheistic state. But the government leaders practice Juche political ideology.

South Korea has more freedom of religion. Because of this, there is a wider range of religious types. Some of the most popular options are:

• Christianity
• Confucianism
• Atheism, though, is the most popular choice

One of the most sizeable differences between North and South Korea is the size and quality of their economies. North Korea has received several sanctions from countries around the world. This is designed to hamper their economy.

Because of this, it has become dominant by organizations that are owned and controlled by the state. Collective farming is also a popular option. It’s estimated that they have a GDP of $40 billion . But, as we mentioned earlier, there are still major problems for most of the population. Sadly, mass hunger and starvation are common. Because many people have had to turn to international aid to survive.

On the other hand, the South Korean economy is booming. They have become a world leader in the production of technology. They also have thriving film, television, tourism, and shipbuilding industries. It’s estimated that they have an annual GDP of over $2 trillion.

South Korea is a democracy, where the people can vote for their leaders. They also have strong civil rights and can enjoy the freedom of expression.

However, North Korea is a dictatorship. Leader Kim Jong-un is the supreme leader. He will be responsible for making all the important decisions and can wield complete control over government officials. This filters down into the population. He will be able to control the news they watch and will carefully control the narrative to make sure that it suits him.

Comparison Table

For a quick rundown of some of the key differences between North and South Korea, you can turn to this table.

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Relations Between North and South Korea

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How different are North and South Korean Cultures?

I recently heard someone of North Korean origin say that you cannot refer to someone as simply 'Korean'. 

From a Korean’s perspective, there’s no such thing as ‘Korean,’ as people originating from Korea identify as either South or North Korean.

Although this statement is open to challenge, it got me thinking about the vast differences for those growing up and living in North or South Korea and the impact that this has on cultural differences.

From a personal sentiment, it seems an extremely strong statement to make. 

With this in mind, just how different are the cultures across the North / South divide?   

The political events forcing Koreans to live in either the North or South of the country were not only brutal but destroyed the previous cultural and linguistic homogeny of a people that were previously part of a single empire and living as family members, friends, neighbours or colleagues. 

The impenetrable physical barrier that continues to separate Koreans has also resulted in deeply embedded cultural differences, which some Koreans would argue, now make them strangers amongst each other.  

Almost seven decades of enforced separation and the entrapment of North Koreans in a political situation that demands unwavering loyalty to the ‘Supreme Leader’ (Kim Jung Un) has created significant differences between the two sides.

Whilst South Korea progressed from being an undeveloped country to the fourth strongest economy in Asia and thirteenth-largest in the world, North Korea continued to struggle. 

Famine wiped out an estimated 3.5 million people in North Korea between 1994 and 1997 and North Korean citizens were advised only last week that famine could again happen due to continued economic difficulties.

So, what impact has the last 70 years had on the lives and culture of Koreans?

Authoritarianism    .

North Koreans live in a highly authoritarian country. Questioning the system can land you in deep trouble.  Individuals have to accept authority and learn not to question it.  Individuals are likely to feel less control over their lives as a result.   

In South Korea, individuals live in a democratic constitutional republic.  People can protest and lobby without fear. They expect to be listened to and have their views heard.  They are thus more likely to feel greater control over their lives and environment.

Hierarchy is extreme in North Korea due to the presence of the Songbun Caste System which has three primary categories and 51 gradations starting with the Supreme Leader and his family at the top and filtering down to the ‘criminal’ class at the bottom.

If an individual’s family fought against the Japanese, or, were peasants at the time of the Korean War, then one is ‘loyal’ the most esteemed level in the system; resulting in better food, better living conditions, the right to travel and to receive a university education.  The lowest rank – that of the ‘hostiles’ denotes those who have descended from family members who worked on behalf of the Japanese administration during colonialization, who fought on the ‘wrong’ side, or who tried to defect.  A ‘hostile’ has no right to university education, no right to travel and works in the most menial jobs with less food and poorer living standards.

Unless you occupy one of the esteemed ranks, individuals are less likely to make decisions, more likely to blindly follow instructions and less likely to show initiative.     

Hierarchy exists in South Korea and great respect is shown to elders and those of a higher organisational position.  However, hierarchy goes hand in hand with meritocracy enabling individuals through study and development to progress through organisational hierarchical positions.

Although deeply respectful of their place in the hierarchy, South Koreans are more likely to question and show initiative.

South Korean soldiers at the border watch North Korean soldiers. Photo by mroach on Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

The practice of ‘Life Purification’ means that North Koreans are typically very direct. Starting in elementary school, children are required to stand up in class and denounce themselves and a classmate (progressing to colleagues once in the workplace). This practice means that North Koreans typically grow up without the inhibitions of saying something to another which is direct and sometimes confrontational.     

South Koreans are culturally very indirect.  Rather than say something which they believe may hurt you or upset you to your face, they instead hope that you will lead between the lines.  This level of indirectness can even manifest itself in an organisation not sending out rejection letters to interviewees for fear of causing upset.

Individualism

North Korea has a strict sense of the collective.  Based on nominative Communist foundations, actions and endeavours are all about progressing the needs of North Korea as a whole.  Individualism can also invite punitive measures.  As a communist country, it is not encouraged to demonstrate behaviours that denote capitalism.  Even the innocent wearing of clothing not worn by others (such as brightly coloured clothing) can invite criticism.

South Koreans also have a strong sense of team and the collective.  However, unlike their North Korean counterparts, individuality is entirely permissible in the way, for example, one dresses, designs their new home, decorates their new home, creates a new business.

Donald J. Trump signs a brick wall of celebrated visitor’s autographs during his visit to military personnel at the Korean Demilitarized Zone Sunday, June 30, 2019, between North and South Korea.

The divergence of culture has resulted in an almost total change in language.  Although grammar remains the same, scholars believe that almost a third of words are now different.  Unfortunately for North Korean defectors trying to pass through other countries (such as China) for asylum purposes, language makes them easily identifiable.

For those who do successfully achieve asylum, it is estimated that it takes almost two years for them to learn the dialect spoken amongst South Koreans. South Koreans generally perceive the North Korean dialect as ‘purer’ – as the language has not changed through the years.

Traditional Foods

North Korean cuisine encompasses traditional dishes; untouched through time and change.     

Traditional dishes are still important to south Korea but US, Italian , Chinese and other international dishes have made South Korean dishes more diverse.

Traditional Clothing

 It’s not uncommon to see North Koreans wearing traditional clothing – for example, women may wear the ‘Hanbok’ dress on a daily basis. Jeans are a big ‘no’ in North Korea.    Traditional dress is usually reserved for special occasions such as weddings or parties.

These differences are the result of war and power games and, as such, it makes for a rather dismal analysis.  Reunification may happen in our lifetimes but the likelihood is slim. As such, these differences will only grow and become more pronounced. 

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Quality of life comparison

If you lived in North Korea instead of United States, you would:

be 81.2% less likely to be obese

In United States, 36.2% of adults are obese as of 2016. In North Korea, that number is 6.8% of people as of 2016.

live 8.8 years less

In United States, the average life expectancy is 81 years (78 years for men, 83 years for women) as of 2022. In North Korea, that number is 72 years (68 years for men, 76 years for women) as of 2022.

be 15.9% less likely to be unemployed

In United States, 3.6% of adults are unemployed as of 2022. In North Korea, that number is 3.1% as of 2022.

make 97.4% less money

United States has a GDP per capita of $64,600 as of 2022, while in North Korea, the GDP per capita is $1,700 as of 2015.

be 5.1 times more likely to die during childbirth

In United States, approximately 21.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In North Korea, 107.0 women do as of 2020.

be 4.3 times more likely to die during infancy

In United States, approximately 5.2 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In North Korea, on the other hand, 22.2 children do as of 2022.

Basic Needs

be 47.4% less likely to have access to electricity

In United States, approximately 100% of the population has electricity access as of 2021. In North Korea, 53% of the population do as of 2021.

see 87.5% less coastline

United States has a total of 19,924 km of coastline. In North Korea, that number is 2,495 km.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook .

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North Korea: At a glance

How big is North Korea compared to United States? See an in-depth size comparison .

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