Background Information
It is widely known that North Korea is a totalitarian state, however the notion that the North Koreans believe their leader to be a god is one which has gained more traction in recent times. North Korea was founded by Kim Il-Sung in 1948, who was later succeeded by his son, Kim Jong Il, and then by the current leader, Kim Jong-un. While it is impossible to know exactly what the North Korean people believe, there have been a number of indications that the state’s citizens view the Kim family as divine figures.
Religious Beliefs
North Korea is an officially atheistic state, with most of the population having no formal religion. However, the nation does have a “juche” ideology which is a combination of Marxism, Confucianism, and nationalism and is extremely influential in terms of the way the citizens view their government and the Kim family. This ideology holds the Kim family as figures of godlike qualities who provide shelter and stability for all citizens within North Korea.
Propaganda
Propaganda is a key factor in North Korea when it comes to the cult religion surrounding Kim and his predecessors. North Korean television, magazines, newspapers and other media all play a role in providing a distorted image of the leaders and generating a hero-worship for them. Kim Jong-un is often presented as having a direct connection to the heavens, with some claiming he can control the weather with his emotions.
Official Language
The official language of North Korea also reinforces the idea of Kim being a godly figure. The Korean language is peppered with language expressing reverence and worship, such as in official documents, which vary their language depending on the recipient. Any time Kim Jong-un is mentioned, language of the highest respect and reverence is used.
Monuments, Holidays, and Education
Monuments, holidays and education all play a part in maintaining the belief that Kim is a god. Statues depicting Kim Il-Sung, Kim Jong-Il and Kim Jong-Un can be found all over North Korea. These are an important part of the government’s control as they reinforce the idea that these leaders are omnipresent and watching over the population. Holidays, such as Kim Jong-Il’s birthday, have become an important part of North Korean culture and are celebrated with military parades and public displays of respect. Education is extremely important in North Korea and the teachings of Juche and respect for the Kim family is part of the curriculum.
Perspectives From Experts
Experts largely agree that North Korea’s citizens do not view the Kim family as gods in a literal, spiritual sense. Instead, the Kim family is largely treated with extreme reverence and respect, a type of hero-worship which fuels North Korea’s total obedience to the regime. Experts suggest that North Korea’s citizens are indoctrinated at a young age, so that these ideals are instilled in their minds from an early age and become wholly accepted.
Analysis and Insights
North Korea’s state-sponsored propaganda has succeeded in creating a powerful image of Kim Jong-un and his predecessors being figures of strength and power. This image has been reinforced with monuments, public holidays and education, which has led to the impression that Kim is a figure of worship. To an outsider it can appear as though the North Korean people do indeed regard Kim and his predecessors as gods, but experts suggest that this is not the case. While it is difficult to know the exact beliefs of North Koreans, it is safe to say that the state has taken great strides to ensure that its people have an impression of the Kim family which can only be described as divine.
Outside Views of North Korea’s Religious Beliefs
The outside world views North Korea’s willingness to subject its citizens to a state religion as concerning. To citizens of democracies, the level of government control over the beliefs of its citizens is alarming. The majority of the world does not view Kim and his predecessors as divine figures and sees North Korea’s acceptance of such beliefs as a symptom of the oppressive regime.
Impact of North Korea’s Cult-Like Religion on International Relations
The notion of North Korea’s state religion and the belief that Kim Jong-un is a god-like figure certainly has an impact on international relations. As an example, many nations view North Korea’s nuclear ambitions as a consequence of this belief as Kim Jong-un believes he is above the law. As a result, the world’s perception of North Korea circles largely around the notion that the nation and its leader believe they have a divine connection to the heavens.
Gaps in the Current Research
Though there have been numerous studies into the belief structure of North Koreans and the way they are indoctrinated, there remains a lack of hard evidence. While experts can make inferences as to what North Koreans believe, there remains a lack of first-hand accounts from people within the nation. This can make it difficult for outsiders to understand North Korea’s religion and how devoted its citizens are to Kim and his predecessors.
Treatment of Citizens Who Do Not Accept North Korea’s Religion
The regime in North Korea does not tolerate any dissent from its citizens and those who express any form of criticism are quickly dealt with. It is impossible to know how citizens are regarded if they do not believe that the Kims are divine. It is a reasonable assumption that those who do not believe the propaganda promoted by the state are probably viewed as enemies of the state and face a number of sanctions as a result. The fate of those who do not conform to the state’s beliefs is most likely dire.
