The World According to Pyongyang: How North Korea’s Maps Reveal a Geopolitical Strategy
Forget everything you think you know about global maps. A recently unearthed collection of 672 maps from North Korea’s Great Korean Encyclopaedia – a monumental project spanning decades – offers a chillingly consistent and deliberately constructed worldview. This isn’t simply about inaccurate cartography; it’s a powerful demonstration of how maps can be weaponized to shape national identity, justify political narratives, and project geopolitical ambition. The implications extend far beyond the Korean peninsula, offering a unique lens through which to understand information control and the future of contested realities.
A Peninsula United, a World Divided
Published in the early 2000s, but based on work begun in 1964, the Encyclopaedia presents a Korea perpetually unified under the rule of the Korean Workers’ Party. South Korea simply doesn’t exist. Every map of the Korean peninsula depicts a single nation, a visual reinforcement of the North Korean narrative that the Korean War resulted in a communist victory and a unified Korea. This isn’t a minor omission; it’s a foundational element of the atlas, shaping the entire geopolitical context. This deliberate erasure highlights the power of cartography to not just reflect reality, but to actively construct it.
Centering Korea, Isolating Enemies
The North Korean worldview extends beyond the peninsula. World maps within the Encyclopaedia are consistently centered on the Pacific Ocean, strategically positioning Korea at the heart of global affairs. While not inherently unusual, the real story lies in the depiction of other nations. The United States and Japan are consistently rendered in a stark, dark grey – visually singled out as adversaries. This isn’t limited to world maps; the same color coding appears on political maps of Korea and, inconsistently, extends to the United Kingdom and France on some European maps. This consistent visual branding of ‘enemies’ is a clear example of propaganda embedded within seemingly objective cartographic representation.
Beyond Conventional Projections: A New Global Order?
Interestingly, the Encyclopaedia’s cartographers eschew traditional Western map projections – like the Mercator – often favoring projections that minimize the perceived size disparity between nations. This isn’t about technical accuracy; it’s about subtly shifting the perceived balance of power. By presenting a more ‘equal’ visual representation of the world, North Korea implicitly challenges the dominance of Western perspectives and asserts its own vision of a multipolar world. This choice of projection speaks to a broader effort to decolonize knowledge and create an alternative geographical framework.
The Absence of Israel and the Recognition of Western Sahara
The geopolitical biases become even more pronounced when examining individual country maps. Perhaps most strikingly, Israel is entirely absent. Its territory is consistently labeled as “Palestine” on maps of Asia and surrounding regions, with Jordan’s map explicitly stating Palestine is “under Israeli occupation.” This reflects North Korea’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause and its rejection of Israel’s legitimacy. Conversely, the atlas includes a map of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (Western Sahara), a territory with limited international recognition, signaling support for self-determination movements challenging established geopolitical norms. These omissions and inclusions aren’t accidental; they are deliberate statements of political alignment.
Implications for the Future of Geopolitics and Information Warfare
The North Korean atlas isn’t just a historical artifact; it’s a prescient warning about the increasing weaponization of information and the erosion of shared realities. As deepfakes, AI-generated content, and sophisticated disinformation campaigns become more prevalent, the ability to control narratives – and the maps that underpin them – will become increasingly critical. We are already seeing similar trends in other parts of the world, with nations increasingly promoting their own alternative geographical and historical narratives. The Council on Foreign Relations’ Global Conflict Tracker highlights numerous ongoing disputes where competing narratives fuel instability.
The Rise of ‘Alternative Cartographies’
The trend towards ‘alternative cartographies’ – maps that prioritize political or ideological agendas over objective accuracy – is likely to accelerate. Expect to see more nations and non-state actors creating their own maps to promote their interests, challenge existing power structures, and influence public opinion. This will necessitate a greater emphasis on critical thinking, media literacy, and the ability to discern fact from fiction. The North Korean atlas serves as a stark reminder that maps are never neutral; they are always products of their time and place, reflecting the biases and agendas of their creators.
The Metaverse and the Future of Geopolitical Control
The emergence of the metaverse adds another layer of complexity. Virtual worlds offer unprecedented opportunities to construct entirely new geographical realities, potentially allowing nations to exert even greater control over information and shape perceptions of the world. Imagine a metaverse where borders are fluid, historical narratives are malleable, and geopolitical realities are entirely customizable. The lessons learned from the North Korean atlas – the power of maps to shape identity and justify political action – will be even more relevant in this new digital frontier.
What are your predictions for the future of cartography and its role in geopolitical conflict? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
