This work features a country that is little known to the West and even to its Asian neighbours because its policy has been one of isolation and self-reliance since the 1950s. Now, however, is an opportune time for the outside world to pay attention and come to understand North Korea's political, economic, and social system because North Korea's new ruler Kim Jong II is initiating an invitation to the outside world. Will this opening in of North Korea's doors save its economic system or cause it to collapse? This work looks at North Korea's new rulership and its foreign policy of isolationism and explores whether it will have to change in recognition of the changing environment of the Korean peninsula. The people, places, political system, economy, ideology, and the history that made and is North Korea are profiled in this work.
