Background
Communism has had a huge impact on North Korea in recent decades, changing the nation’s political and economic landscape. The country was officially declared a socialist state in 1948 when it was founded by Kim Il-sung. Under his leading, the North Korean government focused heavily on centralization and control and implemented a series of initiatives to establish a strongly socialist state. Kim Il-sung actively sought and received assistance from the Russian and Chinese governments, both of which provided technical and financial assistance to the emerging nation.
Since its foundation, the North Korean government has operated under the philosophy of “Juche,” which is a form of self-reliance, with the Korean Workers’ Party (KWP) holding a monopoly on political power. In order to implement economic control, North Korea has established a centrally planned economy and implemented price controls in order to prevent inflation, with all production and distribution of goods and services being managed by the state.
Political Effects
The primary political effect of communism on North Korea has been the development of an authoritarian state ruling through repressive tactics and a cult of personality. The ruling Kim dynasty has used a combination of fear, propaganda and censorship to keep the population in line and has devoted its resources to maintaining its strong grip on power.
Since the 1950s, the government has maintained a strong military presence in the country and has used this as a tool to suppress dissent. It has also used policies such as restricting travel and access to the outside world, controlling access to education and implementing a system of surveillance to keep tabs on its citizens.
Economic Effects
The most notable economic effect of communism in North Korea has been the establishment of a centrally planned economy. This has enabled the North Korean government to control the distribution and prices of goods, while at the same time allowing it to manipulate the country’s finances in order to fund the military and their nuclear weapons program.
The implementation of this economic system also meant that North Korea’s integration into the global economy was severely limited. This has caused the country to become increasingly isolated and to become heavily reliant on economic aid from other countries, particularly from China.
Social Effects
The implementation of a communist government in North Korea has had a significant effect on the nation’s social structure. The country is highly hierarchical and social status is largely determined by one’s political connections and loyalty to the regime.
The effects of the economic policies of the North Korean government have also caused social and economic inequality in the country. The elite and those connected to the government enjoy access to resources that are unavailable to the vast majority of the population. This has caused a proliferation of extreme poverty in the country, with many North Koreans suffering from food insecurity and malnutrition.
International Relations
North Korea’s adherence to communism has had a major impact on its international relations. Given the country’s authoritarian government and its pursuit of nuclear weapons, North Korea’s relationships with many Western nations have been strained.
The United States and North Korea have had a tense relationship since the Korean War, with the U.S. imposing a series of economic sanctions in an effort to curb the North Korean government’s activities. North Korea has also sought assistance from other nations, particularly from Russia and China, who have remained allies with Pyongyang.
Human Rights Abuses
North Korea’s adherence to communism has resulted in rampant human rights abuses. The country has a long history of using forced labor, torture and violence against its own citizens, as well as prisoners of war. Journalists and human rights groups from around the world have also accused the North Korean government of maintaining prison camps and repressing political dissidents by conducting public executions and arbitrary detentions.
The United Nations has repeatedly condemned the North Korean government for its abuses of human rights, while also citing its lack of due process and the stifling of freedom of expression. The U.S. State Department has also extensively documented North Korea’s human rights violations.
US-DPRK Relations
The relationship between the United States and North Korea has long been fraught with tension and distrust. The two countries have never had formal diplomatic ties and the current relationship is marked by an ongoing mutual distrust. The U.S. government has long demanded that North Korea abandon its nuclear ambitions and has implemented economic sanctions in an effort to pressure Pyongyang into doing so.
However, in recent years, there have been signs that the two countries are moving closer to rapprochement. In 2018, the two leaders, Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un, met for the first time in Singapore in an unprecedented summit. Following this, Trump and Kim also held a second summit in Hanoi in 2019 and a third token was held in the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in June 2019.
International Pressure
In recent years, the international community has increasingly turned the spotlight on North Korea, particularly regarding its human rights record. In 2014, a United Nations Commission of Inquiry issued a damning report that documented the perpetration of gross human rights abuses in North Korea, which led to calls for International criminal prosecution. Since then, a number of UN resolutions have been passed in an effort to bring about change in the country.
The U.S. has also imposed economic sanctions targeting North Korea’s nuclear programs and its human rights abuses, with the objective of pressuring the government to reform. Countries like China and Russia have also issued statements condemning North Korea’s activities, while also attempting to broker agreements between Pyongyang and Washington.
Propaganda
One of the primary tactics employed by the North Korean government to maintain control is an extensive propaganda campaign. The government has used this to portray the Kim family as exceptional leaders, highlighting their successes and portraying them as infallible.
The government has also banned access to foreign media, while simultaneously utilizing its own outlets to distort the truth and portray its citizens as loyal and patriotic. This propaganda has been extremely effective in manipulating public opinion and keeping the population in line with the government’s agenda.
Consequences for the North Korean People
The consequences of communism for the North Korean people have been devastating. Millions of people have suffered due to the government’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, the country’s eroding economic situation and its pervasive human rights abuses. In addition, the government’s culture of fear has had devastating effects on the nation’s mental health and has led to a population that is increasingly apathetic towards its current state and is hesitant to challenge authority.
Though the country’s political and economic policies and its pursuit of nuclear weapons have certainly had a dramatic effect on the nation, it is the North Korean people who have ultimately borne the brunt of the nation’s adherence to communism. While the courts and international community have yet to find a definitive solution to the crisis, the future of North Korea still remains uncertain.
