Corruption
in North Korea largely falls under the category of official Moguls: corruption
by top leaders to stay in power or to consolidate it or by lower level
officials who think that they will be protected if opposition rule is weak. We
refer here to Kim Jong Un, his close family and high cadre leaders.
North
Korea is closed away from the rest of the world, not just in terms of the
economy but also in terms of the movement of people, ideas, goods etc. It is no
surprise to hear that the economy is doing poorly in a highly globalized world.
North Korea scored 19.4 on the 2010
Global Hunger Index, a level classed as alarming
by the International Food Policy Research Institute. This is in spite of
support from countries like China.
While the poor starve away to the
levels of some turning to cannibalism, the Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un imports roughly $1,200,000 worth alcohol for his personal
use. Large scale corruption in North Korea happens in the top level, benefiting
the Mogul and his supporters.
There
is a budding black market, which gives people access to a few things that they
might otherwise not be able to buy, this again is operational only because of
corruption but in the lower levels.
An
example of corruption in higher levels of government: Income for the government
by exporting slaves to the outside world. It earns upto $2.3bn (£1.5bn) in foreign currency for the country with
approximately 50,000 people working abroad. The money that they earn is collected by the country. The slave
labourers cannot try to escape as their families back home will be imprisoned
The
situation under official mogul’s rule is such that there is no good that comes
out of protesting against corruption or making complains about it. The judges
themselves are corrupt and no justice is served. North Korea has a very
effective way of suppressing the voices of people. The protestor or anyone who
functions against the government, his/ her children and grandchildren are
imprisoned in labour camps where they are forced to work, barely fed and s. treated
inhumanely. Jang Sung Taek, Kim Jong
Un’s Uncle was executed for being “anti-party,
counter-revolutionary factional element”. These executions are publicly done in
a stadium with people being forced to watch.
The
corruption in North Korea is done in a very emotional level and this in turn
helps economic corruption take place smoothly. There is no contact with the
outside world (no internet ). There is false propaganda that is instilled in
the minds of the people and children, giving Kim Jong Un the status of a demi-
God. They are indoctrinated that the North Koreans are the most superior and
pure race and hence they need to stay in their country and protect it.
A perfect mix of nationalism and fear keeps
the country going.
Transparency
international Corruption Rank: 175/177
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