North Korea is often perceived as a country seemingly cut off from the rest of the world. In 2020, due to the global pandemic, North Korea closed its borders, which led to a significant decrease in its foreign trade. Its total foreign trade volume was $860 million in 2020, and it was expected to be less than $300 million in the following year, a sharp contrast to South Korea's trade volume which exceeded $1 trillion in the same period. The number of inbound and outbound passengers also shows a huge gap between the two countries, with North Korea having only a fraction of South Korea's figures.
Moreover, North Korea's social system and lifestyle are quite different from those of most countries. It adopts a planned economy with a rationing system, where each citizen receives a certain amount of food and daily necessities according to regulations3. There are no bustling market economies or ubiquitous convenience stores. The streets are clean and tidy, and people live a simple and peaceful life with a strong sense of order3. However, this orderliness, which is based on a planned economy and strict social control, gives people a sense of suppression and also limits personal freedom and development space to some extent3.
Nevertheless, North Korea is not completely isolated. It has some overseas - based businesses. According to the statistics of the UN Sanctions Committee against North Korea, about 270 North Korean enterprises have overseas operations covering 163 countries and regions around the world2. In North Korean stores, it is also possible to buy Swiss watches, Japanese electronics, French wine, American tablets and other imported goods2. Therefore, it is inaccurate to simply label North Korea as "isolated". It is more of a country that adheres to its own unique development path and lifestyle in the context of globalization.
