Syed Hasan Habib’s book titled ‘North Korea: Never Ending Tragedy’ launched

KARACHI: Shaped by a history of invasions and persistent perceptions of external threat, particularly from the United States and its allies, North Korea has developed significant nuclear and missile capabilities despite severe economic and political constraints, notes Ambassador Syed Hasan Habib in his new book “North Korea: Never Ending Tragedy”, launched in Karachi. The book launch was hosted by the Institute of Business Management (IoBM), attended by senior leadership of IoBM, representatives of the Thai Consulate, and members of the Pakistan Council on Foreign Relations (PCFR). Speaking on the occasion, IoBM President Talib Karim said the institution has benefited significantly from engagement with former diplomats, adding that nearly ten books across diverse fields have been published in the past eighteen months with IoBM’s support. He said students are gaining valuable academic exposure from diplomats involved in teaching at the institute. G R Baluch, Director of IoBM’s Global and Regional Studies Center (GRSC), praised Ambassador Habib’s effort, noting that objective writing on North Korea remains challenging due to limited credible information and the country’s tightly controlled information environment. Tanweer Khalid, Secretary General of the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs, said the book provides a comprehensive historical account of North Korea’s evolution, highlighting its civilizational influences while examining its enduring isolationist policies. Ambassador Alam Brohi observed that diplomatic postings such as North Korea and Sudan are among the most challenging in Pakistan’s Foreign Service due to isolation and limited facilities. He said the book reflects the harsh realities of life in North Korea, including strict governance and infrastructure constraints. Riaz Ahmed Shaikh, Dean of Social Sciences and Education at SZABIST, described the work as a concise account of North Korea’s historical and geopolitical trajectory shaped by its security concerns and regional environment. In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Syed Hasan Habib said the book is based on credible sources and aims to present an objective perspective, particularly for students. He noted the challenges of reporting on North Korea due to restricted information flows and reliance on limited external sources. He added that the book examines North Korea’s nuclear and missile development despite international sanctions, its strong deterrence posture, and the extensive state control over society shaped by surveillance and security concerns. The book ultimately presents North Korea as a complex and often misunderstood state, where historical insecurity, strategic ambiguity, and restricted information continue to define both its internal dynamics and global perception. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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