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The inter-Korean border regions within the Korean Peninsula possess unique characteristics where their development levels and impacts on regional industry and economy are significantly influenced by changes in inter-Korean relations and international circumstances. Therefore, systematic and planned land use measures are necessary, and analysis of land characteristics from a future-oriented perspective is required as a preliminary step. Against this background, this paper aims to review the current status of overlapping regulations in border regions and propose directional guidelines for land management by type and scenario, considering both internal and external conditions through land characteristic analysis using satellite data. The research results identified four types of land management patterns based on scenariospecific changes in land characteristics: “Continuous Development Type”: Areas where development pressure continues or increases both currently and in the future. For existing urban areas, urban maintenance or planned management is necessary, while suburban areas may consider implementing growth management plans. “Future Management Type”: Areas where current development pressure is high but relatively decreases in the future, requiring preventive management for declining areas. “Future Development Type”: Areas where current development pressure is low but increases with improved inter-Korean relations. These areas need growth management planning from a long-term perspective, and should implement planned and efficient land use measures through active utilization of land banking systems. “Continuous Conservation Type”: Areas expected to maintain low development pressure both currently and in the future. These areas should consider continued application of conservation-oriented regulations, taking into account their superior environmental and ecological characteristics.

This study analyzes the patterns and determinants of underutilized spaces in the border areas of Gyeonggi Province. Using monthly floating population data from 2018 to 2023, population changes up to 2027 were predicted using the LSTM model. The distribution of highly used and underutilized spaces was identified through hotspot analysis. Logistic regression analysis was employed to derive the determinants of underutilized spaces. The results showed a slight increase in population in some areas, with underutilized spaces tending to spread across the entire border region. Key determinants of underutilized spaces included the proportion of elderly population, distribution of accommodation facilities, and the ratio of industrial buildings. These findings can serve as foundational data for policy development aimed at balanced development of border areas.

This study aims to explore strategies for transforming idle military bases in border regions into green networks by analyzing the current status and issues of these bases, and by examining design strategies from brownfield park conversion cases. The findings showed that brownfield park conversion cases promoted green network development through 1) utilization of irregular shapes, 2) strategizing long-term restoration processes, and 3) encouraging participation from diverse stakeholders. Based on these findings, the study suggests the need for 1) visualizing phased development through integrated surveys of potential sites, 2) securing environmental design media through inventorying military infrastructure, and 3) building sustained participation through multi-stakeholder cooperation systems.

To conduct urban studies in communist countries like North Korea, it is necessary to complement objective data with subjective data. This approach includes GIS-based spatial analysis, Google Earth-based satellite data analysis, mashup-based social media, photo and video analysis, and cognitive map-based analysis. Combining or complementing these multidimensional data can overcome the limitations of spatial accessibility, enhance practical applicability, and, most importantly, ensure the realism and sustainability of the data. In the case of North Korea, it seems feasible to analyze major cities like Pyongyang, where such diverse combinations of analyses can be applied. This study aims to examine urban development and construction in Pyongyang through a multidimensional approach and provide a spatial-structural interpretation. Additionally, it seeks to evaluate the multidimensional approach through social networks related to urban development in Pyongyang.

This study uses a mixed methodology of satellite data and in-depth interviews to identify the influencing factors of urban construction in Pyongyang between 1990 and 2020. The satellite data analysis shows that the most influential variable in all periods was living roads, which was also confirmed by the interviews. In addition, nighttime light, access to markets, number of cars, points of interest (POIs), and access to public transport were found to have different effects depending on the time period. In terms of timing, between 1990 and 2010, construction was more prevalent on the outskirts of the city, whereas between 2010 and 2020, when Kim Jong-un took power, construction activity was centred in the city centre. The mixed methods study found that construction in North Korea is centred on Pyongyang, with regime-driven construction having a greater impact than private market construction. This study, which applies satellite data and in-depth interviews, opens up new research possibilities for North Korean studies that are limited by data scarcity and inaccessibility to the field.

This study employs Artificial Intelligence to develop experimental future scenarios for North Korean regional development. Focusing on government-proposed areas of inter-Korean economic cooperation - energy, transportation, and agriculture - the research analyzes current challenges including power supply instability, logistics inefficiency, and low agricultural productivity. The study proposes solutions utilizing Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, such as smart grid systems with Northeast Asian connections, autonomous logistics networks, and advanced agricultural technologies. The use of Large Language Models (LLMs), with their extensive data processing capabilities, enabled generation of creative future scenarios beyond conventional research methods. Policy simulations using virtual personas demonstrated the potential for developing tailored policies considering North Korea’s characteristics. This research holds methodological significance through its experimental use of LLMs and offers valuable reference material for future inter-Korean economic cooperation policies by exploring new possibilities for North Korean regional development.

Many ethnic groups come together to form the American people. But it cannot form the American nation. America is a multiethnic country, but the risk of fragmentation is low. China is comprised of 55 ethnic minorities, the Han Chinese, and 56 ethnic groups. Therefore, the concept of a Chinese citizen is possible, but the concept of a Chinese nation is not possible. China also knows. However, in China, ethnic minorities live in about 65% of the country. Therefore, China can only survive by maintaining a unified territory, and to achieve this, it has no choice but to use historical distortion and nationalism. Historically, in Northeast Asia, when the northern peoples became stronger, they invaded the south, and when the Han Chinese became stronger, they invaded the north. It is an immutable truth of Northeast Asian history. There was also a period of 16 kingdoms of 5 nothern peoples, the Sui Dynasty’s royal family and the Tang Dynasty’s royal family is of northern people, Xianbei tribe, and the Yuan Dynasty and Qing Dynasty were conquering dynasty of northern people. In Chinese history, the Han Chinese dynasties are the Han Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty. China's Korean Peninsula policy is traditionally based on the North Korean buffer zone theory. This is the geopolitical logic of blocking maritime powers such as the United States through North Korea. North Korea also serves as a buffer zone between the capitalist and the socialism. For China, the current division of the Korean Peninsula is advantageous. Because of the existence of North Korea, China often takes an advantageous position against South Korea. Until now, China has supported North Korea in a way that prevents it from collapsing, believing that stable management of the division of the Korean Peninsula is in China's national interest. China does not want North Korea to collapse, but it especially does not want South Korea-led unification. In particular, it would be difficult to imagine a unified Korea siding with the United States in its conflict with China.

North Korea’s food security vulnerability is widely recognized, but objective analysis of it is challenging due to limited access to relevant data. This study developed a food security index encompassing both South and North Korea and analyzed the current food security status of both. Based on the FAO definition, we employed a mixed index comprising five pillars— availability, access, stability, utilization, and sustainability and 21 detailed indicators. Through an AHP survey to derive weights, availability emerged as the most important pillar, with indicators such as ‘average calorie intake adequacy’ and ‘malnutrition rate’ standing out in significance. An analysis of comprehensive food security scores across 136 countries from 2010 to 2019 found the USA ranked first (75.7 points) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo last (20.2 points). South Korea ranked 15th (60.9 points), while North Korea ranked 131st (23.7 points). The food security gap between South and North Korea was most pronounced in availability and access, with North Korea particularly facing food shortages and sustainability challenges. If agricultural cooperation at the Korean Peninsula level progresses, the food security index developed in this study is expected to be useful for setting SDG2 targets and formulating strategies to bridge the food security gap between South and North Korea.

This study challenges the conventional perspective that North Korea’s recent food crisis is solely due to a shortage in food production. Instead, it begins by examining how the amendment of the Grain Management Act has intensified state control over the market, making food distribution difficult. This has led to price increases, yet residents struggle to secure food due to limited purchasing power. Furthermore, this study summarizes how natural disasters have reduced food production. To address these issues, this study proposes joint response to climate change through international development cooperation and the establishment of a regional circular economy as essential solutions. This is conceptualized as the “North Korean Regional Circular Economy Model”. Climate change is both a long-term factor exacerbating food production challenges and an important drive for international development cooperation.