The changing relations between foreland and hinterland at North Korean ports(1985-2006)

摘要: Being one of the few remaining communist States in world, North Korea offers a good example constrained economy facing dramatic internal and external pressures. Although land transport dominates due to border trade with China Russia, maritime better reflects its position global economy. Based on worldwide vessel movements at all ports connected between 1985 2006, indicators connectivity closely match country's evolution according political economical changes. Alongside spatial contraction forelands stemming from diplomatic isolation, industrial decline, embargo, infrastructure dereliction after collapse USSR (1991) nuclear crisis (1993-1994), results also show process regionalization port concentration Northeast Asia time increased openness, cooperation projects, foreign investments following inter-Korean summit (2000) economic reforms (2002). Finally, comment are given about factors such as inter-regional disconnection, system dereliction, logistics costs, accessibility that result growing divide East West coasts