Demystifying the DPRK: Part 2- The Myth of Isolationism

In the West, the DPRK is often called "the hermit kingdom." It's claimed that the DPRK is an isolationist state that has cut itself off from the rest of the world and refuses to engage with the international community, but is this really the case?

It's true that the United States, South Korea, the European Union, the United Nations, and others have attempted to force the DPRK into isolation through decades of brutal economic sanctions. The country has more than 2,000 sanctions.¹ However, these attempts by imperialist nations to isolate the DPRK don't mean that the DPRK or the Juche Idea are isolationist.

A closer look at the evidence reveals the opposite.

The Juche Idea is Internationalist

Those who say that the Juche Idea is an isolationist philosophy seem to not only be ignorant of the actual content of the Juche Idea, but they also conflate self‑reliance and isolationism. They lack a correct understanding of what independence means in the Juche Idea.

Kim Jong Il put it succinctly on page 42-43 of his 1982 work, On the Juche Idea:²

Independence is not in conflict with internationalism but is the basis of its strengthening. Just as the world revolution is inconceivable without the revolution in one's own country, internationalism divorced from independence cannot exist. As a matter of principle, internationalist solidarity must be based on freedom of choice and equality. Only when it is founded on independence, will internationalist solidarity become based on free choice and equality and become genuine and durable.

On page 47 of the same work he also explains what self‑reliance means:

Building an independent national economy on the principle of self-reliance does not mean building an economy in isolation. An independent economy is opposed to foreign economic domination and subjugation; but it does not rule out international economic cooperation. Close economic and technical cooperation between socialist countries and newly- emerging nations, in particular, plays an important part in ensuring economic self-sufficiency in these countries and in increasing their economic power.

It’s clear from these excerpts that independence and internationalism are inseparable. Self‑reliance is not isolationist, but instead requires cooperation.

The DPRK is not only internationalist in theory, but in practice as well. Today, the DPRK cooperates with other states such as China, Vietnam, Laos, Cuba, and Venezuela.³⁴⁵⁶⁷

Historically, the DPRK has engaged with revolutionary movements around the world, including the Black Panther Party in the late 1960s and early 1970s.⁸ The DPRK has always practiced internationalism.

The Global Community

Besides close relationships with socialist countries and revolutionary movements, the DPRK holds membership in many international organizations, hosts international events, and maintains diplomatic ties with countries around the world.

For instance, the DPRK has been a member of the United Nations since 1991.⁹ They are also members of organizations such as UNESCO, FAO, WHO, and others, holding membership in approximately 60 international organizations.¹⁰ They maintain embassies in 46 countries, and there are 24 foreign embassies in Pyongyang.¹¹

Various countries also participate in events in the DPRK, such as the Pyongyang International Film Festival¹² and the Pyongyang Autumn Trade Fair.¹³ At the 18th Pyongyang International Film Festival, films were screened from the DPRK, China, Russia, Mexico, Thailand, Portugal, and other countries. The 17th Pyongyang Autumn International Trade Fair presented tens of thousands of products from over 200 enterprises, including electronics, machinery, food, and other consumer goods.

Considering the above, how can the DPRK be considered “isolationist” or a “hermit kingdom”? Western narratives rarely mention the devastating impact of the 2,000+ sanctions imposed on the country. Instead, they rely on orientalist tropes and victim-blaming. Despite relentless attempts by imperialist nations to isolate it, the DPRK continues to actively engage with the global community.

Movement to and from the DPRK

Another fact that exposes the "isolationist" narrative is the movement of people to and from the DPRK.

It should be noted that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the DPRK temporarily restricted tourism and international travel, with a few exceptions. However, prior to the pandemic, tourists from around the world visited the country every year. In 2018, over 200,000 tourists visited the DPRK. Most come from China, but at least 20,000 came from other countries, including Western nations.¹⁴

Even during restrictions, travel continues. In 2024, at least 1,500 Russian tourists visited the DPRK.¹⁵

Most readers are likely aware that the DPRK welcomes tourists, but some may be surprised to learn that DPRK citizens also travel abroad. Hundreds of thousands visit China annually,¹⁶ and tens of thousands travel to Russia each year.¹⁷

These facts clearly demonstrate that the DPRK is not isolationist, neither in theory nor in practice.

Conclusion

The evidence is clear. The DPRK is neither a "hermit kingdom" nor an isolationist state. Juche emphasizes independence, but independence and self-reliance do not contradict cooperation and internationalism, they are the foundation for genuine internationalism.

The West does attempt to isolate the DPRK, and economic sanctions have had devastating affects on the country, impacting everything from healthcare to agriculture.

However, reducing the country to the caricature of isolation ignores decades of imperialist sanctions, misrepresents the Juche Idea, and distorts reality. The DPRK’s engagement with the world demonstrates that self-reliance and internationalism are mutually reinforcing principles.