Comrades Beyond the Cold War

Description

North Korea was an important player in the decolonisation of Africa. Freedom fighters across the continent received vital assistance from Pyongyang, and almost all southern African independence leaders travelled to the North Korean capital at some point, in search of support. This alliance has continued into the twenty-first century, with African postcolonial governments throwing a lifeline to Pyongyang’s increasingly isolated economy by hiring North Korean companies, despite United Nations sanctions.

Tycho van der Hoog examines the relations between victorious southern African liberation movements and North Korea, from the 1960s to the present. He explains why African presidents sang and danced at parties in Pyongyang, and why North Korean books were translated into Swahili and Afrikaans. He reveals how African soldiers were trained in guerrilla warfare by North Korean instructors, and how North Korean labourers construct monuments in Africa in the shape of AK-47s. And he explores the question of how revolutionary regimes, motivated by a need for survival, work together to defy the global order.

Based on extensive research across four continents—including recently disclosed African liberation archives and Korean diplomatic cables—this innovative study is the first book on African–North Korean relations.

Reviews

‘A fascinating story that sheds light on North Korea and the Southern African regimes that fought for independence. Well-written and full of captivating detail, but maintaining a clear overarching analysis, this is an excellent contribution to our study of liberation movements and South–South relations.’ — Sara Rich Dorman, Senior Lecturer in African Politics, University of Edinburgh, and author of Understanding Zimbabwe: From Liberation to Authoritarianism

‘A gripping read, full of illuminating detail about the period of decolonisation and the Cold War. As the first comprehensive historical study of Africa­–North Korea relations, this is a unique book.’ — Christopher J. Lee, Harvard University, and editor of Making a World after Empire: The Bandung Moment and Its Political Afterlives

‘A pioneering study of tremendous value. Exploring a wealth of primary sources, it offers fascinating insights into the North Korean engagement with Southern Africa. The support of liberation movements created lasting bonds and deep loyalties as a business model for the present.’ — Henning Melber, author of Understanding Namibia and The Long Shadow of German Colonialism

‘North Korea is often depicted as isolated and friendless. This illuminating book helps to debunk this misconception by presenting the fascinating history of North Korea’s relations with Southern Africa. Recommended for anyone seeking new insights into North Korea’s links with the outside world.’ — Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Professor of International Relations, King’s College London, and author of Shrimp to Whale: South Korea from the Forgotten War to K-Pop and co-author of Korea: A New History of South and North

‘This is a good book that focuses on the important but largely unresearched area of Africa’s political and historical relations with North Korea. I recommend it to scholars and practitioners in strategy, politics, and international relations.’ — Chibuike Uche, Stephen Ellis Professor of the Governance of Finance and Integrity in Africa, African Studies Centre, Leiden University

Author(s)

Tycho van der Hoog is Assistant Professor of International Security Studies at the Netherlands Defence Academy. His work focuses on African international relations. He holds a PhD from the African Studies Centre of Leiden University, and has conducted extensive field research in Africa, Europe, the United States and South Korea.