Which countries would you consider to be current allies of North Korea?

[Nakura Chambers]

Which countries would you consider to be post-Cold War allies of North Korea? I'm legitimately curious as to what countries you guys think are culpable of supporting North Korea. Below I'll make a few statements about each country in question and you can decide for yourself:


China (PRC)
The People's Republic of China is often considered the primary ally and foreign supplier of North Korea. The PRC initially only supported North Korea in order to quell domestic dissent in China (both within and outside of the Chinese Communist Party) and to show the world that China is a "major communist power." Following the end of the Cold War, China has been vocally critical of the North Korean regime, but have refused to break off their political, economic and military alliance. Some have suggested that China only supports the North Korean regime in order to prevent a refugee crisis and/or to avoid having a free country (South Korea) at their border.

Cuba
Both Cuba and North Korea are socialistic states and have maintained good relations since the 1960s. Despite international pressure, Cuba has been caught illegally smuggling weapons into North Korea.

Iran
North Korea is a major weapons supplier to Iran, despite the international embargo on both countries. North Korea is also assisting Iran with their nuclear weapons program.

Pakistan
North Korea and Pakistan maintain friendly relations. North Korea and Pakistan are (or at least were) arms trading partners. Some intelligence communities in the free world have accused Pakistan, or at least Pakistani nationals, of supplying North Korea with nuclear materials.

Palestinian Terrorists
North Korea and Palestinian terrorist groups have a common enemy, Israel. North Korea has even gone so far as to arm Palestinian terrorists and some warmongering Arab states.

Russia
The Soviet Union supported North Korea during the Cold War and sent considerable aid (and later troops) to North Korea during the Korean War. Following the Sino-Soviet split, China became the primary exporter of communism in Asia, limiting the Soviet Union's ability to influence North Korean affairs. Under Vladimir Putin's leadership, Russia has officially condemned North Korea's nuclear program, while simultaneously increasing trade between the two countries. Russia has also allowed North Korean troops to visit Russia and in some ways "advise" their North Korean guests.

Syria
North Korea and Syria have shared nuclear materials and information with each other.

Sweden
Though Sweden is a democratic western country, there is a pro-North Korea and pro-Hamas lobby within the country. This has resulted in Sweden working towards "solidarity" with North Korea, despite their widespread human rights abuses and international aggression. Sweden (along with Switzerland) was chosen by the United States to ensure North Korea was honoring the terms of the 1953 ceasefire.

Vietnam
Vietnam and North Korea are both state socialist societies (in theory at least). North Korea sent aid and troops to North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Following the Cold War, Vietnam has followed a policy of rapprochement with the United States and free world, resulting in Vietnamese-North Korean relations being strained.

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has provided training for North Korean troops.

[Butler to Baby Sloths]

I'm guessing you have a citation list for those allegations, yes?

North Korea and Palestinian terrorist groups have a common enemy, Israel.

Whuuuuut? Since when does NK give a shit about Israel?

[glo]

The only allies that matter are China and Russia, the rest are negligible forces, if at all.

That said, if shit hits the fan and it comes down to China either losing 85% of their exports (the western world) or defending NK's stupid decision, take a wild guess which one China would pick to save their economy from certain death.

[Collegeguy]

Sweden just for the giggles.

[Kaleredar]

None.

China is the closest thing they have to an ally, but China wouldn't back up any of the sword-rattling North Korea does.

[pucko97]

Sweden? What? You just had to spread some anti-Sweden propaganda here. This is basically another one of Nakuras hatemongering threads.

[Thunderball]

Allies? None obviously. North Korea is fairly unique in this one, and largely defined by geopolitical situation.

[Kaleredar]

Allies? None obviously. North Korea is fairly unique in this one, and largely defined by geopolitical situation.

Having no allies is ultimately beneficial to them. North Korea doesn't want anything... they have exactly what they want. A self-contained mini-1984 right here in our modern world. Exposure to outside ideas is dangerous to maintaining order. Having concrete allies means someone else has to hem and haw and explain their bullshit to other countries on a international stage to explain why they're allies with them.

[Gestopft]

I couldn't really see anyone backing North Korea if it came to a war with major western powers, so I'm going to vote other: none

[Thunderball]

Having no allies is ultimately beneficial to them. North Korea doesn't want anything... they have exactly what they want. A self-contained mini-1984 right here in our modern world. Exposure to outside ideas is dangerous to maintaining order. Having concrete allies means someone else has to hem and haw and explain their bullshit to other countries on a international stage to explain why they're allies with them.

Well, they are sufficient on the basis that noone would support the war on Korean Peninsula, makes their position a lot more stable. On the other hand, they are not being left alone and therefore have to constantly remind everyone around that others should take them seriously.

[Deleted]

Sweden, obviously.

[Dezerte]

Sweden of course!

[Chelly]

Sweden
Though Sweden is a democratic western country, there is a pro-North Korea and pro-Hamas lobby within the country. This has resulted in Sweden working towards "solidarity" with North Korea, despite their widespread human rights abuses and international aggression. Sweden (along with Switzerland) was chosen by the United States to ensure North Korea was honoring the terms of the 1953 ceasefire.

Yep, we're totally the allies of North Korea. We're already infiltrating the rest of the western world by being the most successful pop music exporter per capita.
We're spreading the message of Best Korea in our music. You can't stop us.

[Deleted]

Sweden I think..

Otherwise, why would NK be so obsesses with snow?

[Deleted]

Sweden for sure!

[Wildtree]

Everyone..... aren't we all a little Korean inside?

[Xanjori]

As someone who moved to Sweden I can only tell you how great our Alliance with North Korea is. The reason Kim Jong-Un hasn't been seen in the media lately is because he is currently taking a well earnt break in Sweden. He loves getting away here whenever he possibly can, apparently its our free women that just aren't allowed to say no to foreigners that really makes his holidays complete!

[Kalis]

Everyone..... aren't we all a little Korean inside?

I'm a little bit Chinese, specifically Lemon Chicken and Egg Fried Rice, which I had for dinner last night.

I'll be a little less Chinese shortly.

[zealo]

Only real ally would be china, although sweden has an embassy in NK as far as i know. That and that they still owe us around 400 million usd for volvo cars in the 70s.

[Notchris]

Best Korea doesn't need allies.