N. Korea ranked lowest in Asia in political freedom: report

By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 (Yonhap) -- North Korea was ranked the lowest in political
freedom, along with Myanmar, among Asian nations, a report says.

North Korea was the lowest in the list of 39 Asian nations surveyed by Freedom
House, the Heritage Foundation said in a report titled "Key Asian Indicators: A
2009 Book of Charts" that was issued Tuesday.
Among the world's nations, North Korea and Myanmar were ranked 186th in political
freedom.
"The two countries in the region that pose the greatest challenge to U.S. foreign
policy are controlled by the most oppressive governments," the report said.
South Korea was ninth on the list, along with Japan and Taiwan. Their world rank
is 48th.
North Korea was, meanwhile, fourth in Asia in political instability, with
Afghanistan, Pakistan and Myanmar leading the list, the report said, citing the
Fund for Peace and Foreign Policy magazine.
Asia's four most politically instable nations are ranked 7, 10, 13 and 17 among
the world's nations.
South Korea's political instability rank is 27th in Asia and 153th globally, just
below the United States, which is 28th in Asia and 159th globally.
In the "Best Places to Do Business" category, South Korea was ranked eighth in
Asia and 19th in the world, the report said, citing statistics from the World
Bank Group.
Singapore, New Zealand, Hong Kong and the United States were the four best places
in Asia to do business as well as globally.
hdh@yna.co.kr
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