| ID | 165777 |
| Title Proper | From Balancing to bandwagoning |
| Other Title Information | evaluating the Impact of the Sanction Regime on North Korea–Africa Relationships |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Grzelczyk, Virginie |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Article Type: Research Paper Purpose—The DPRK has maintained an extensive array of foreign relationships over the past decades, both for political and economic gains. This article evaluates the impact of the current sanction regime on the DPRK's activities with African countries. Design/Methodology/Approach—The analysis is conducted by using a bespoke behavior framework based on Stephen Walt's "balance of threat" theory. This framework develops the concepts of balancing, defensive bandwagoning, and opportunistic bandwagoning as potential behaviors of African states following the imposition of United Nations Security Council Resolutions to sanction North Korea from 2006 until 2017. Findings—Evidence suggests that some long-standing relationships based on military and economic cooperation have been severed in recent years; thus, it supports a general balancing behavior. Findings also suggest that a specific group of countries subscribe to new opportunistic and defensive bandwagoning by embarking on talks and partnerships in the fields of health and science, regardless of the sanction regime, signaling defiance against a Western-led world order. Practical Implications—Patterns of rapprochements between North and South Korea and between North Korea and the United States have large implications for the potential removal of UNSCRs that paralyze North Korean foreign relations and slow its potential development. A clearer understanding of the DPRK's economic and market networks abroad, as well as potential political allies, can help differentiate between legitimate activities and illegal ones. hence, it allows a more informed approach to engage with the DPRK. Originality/Value—The article looks at the DPRK's relationships with countries that have often been ignored because they were not seen as important, given that North Korea was never expected to be successful in developing advanced military and nuclear technology. It is original as it looks at declassified official documents, official economic and military trade records and news archives, and presents an encompassing analysis of 51 African countries' relationships with the DPRK over time. The results of the study are valuable as they add to the understanding of the DPRK's foreign policy behavior, which is important given its potential nuclear status. |
| `In' analytical Note | North Korean Review Vol. 15, No.1; Spring 2019: p.9-33 |
| Journal Source | North Korean Review 2019-06 15, 1 |
| Key Words | Sanctions ; DPRK ; Africa ; North Korea ; Third World ; UNSRC |