North Korea and Support to Terrorism: An Evolving History

Abstract

The DPRK's (Democratic People's Republic of Korea or North Korea) support for terrorism began as an ideologically-based policy financed by the Soviet Union that eventually led to a policy designed to put money into the coffers of the elite in Pyongyang—in short, a "proliferation for hire" policy. This article articulates a brief history of the North Korean regime, the rise to power of Kim Il-sung and his son, Kim Jong-il, and North Korea's persistent support to terrorist groups around the globe.

Keywords

• DPRK-North Korea
• Foreign policy
• History
• Russia
• Terrorism / counterterrorism
• Weapons of mass destruction