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North Korean Terrorism: Trends, Characteristics, and Deterrence

NCJ Number
122512
Journal
Terrorism Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: (1988) Pages: 309-322
Author(s)
J T Kim
Date Published
1988
Length
14 pages
Annotation
For the past three decades, North Korea has subjected South Korea to various types of political violence ranging from conventional war to nonconventional guerrilla and terrorist tactics.
Abstract
Experts have drawn profiles of North Korean terrorists based on the society's unorthodox socialistic political ideology, idolization of its leader, and isolation, as well as some available psychological data on actual North Korea operatives. They are indoctrinated in an ideology demanding unquestioning dedication; they are prepared to die for the cause, ready to inflict self-destruction; atheistic; members of a special Army unit or elite department of the Communist Party; and professional terrorists who try to use radical students and other dissenters in South Korea to increase social unrest. Deterrence of North Korean terrorism will most likely be achieved through international cooperation on anti-terrorism policies, including the imposition of political and economic sanctions. 1 table, 18 references. (Author abstract modified)