History of North Korea
North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), has a long history that dates back to 970 AD when it was founded by the Korean leader Wang Geon. Prior to 1945, North Korea was a part of the Japanese Empire, however it became a separate country after World War II. In 1948, Kim Il-sung became leader of the newly established communist state and soon after, the Korean War ensued. Following the war, the DPRK has remained tightly closed off from the outside world, establishing itself as a self-contained nation. Today, North Korea is one of the most isolated states in the world and has its own calendar system, known as the Juche calendar.
What Year It Is In North Korea?
North Korea does not currently use the Gregorian/Western calendar like most other countries, instead their official calendar is based upon the Juche calendar, which is calculated from the date of founding leader Kim Il-Sung’s birth in 1912. As a result, the current year in North Korea is 109 (using the Juche calendar). This means that 2019, by our western calendar system, would be 107 in North Korea. This has led to some confusion as both calendars are often used interchangeably in North Korea.
Many of the special national days and celebrations, as well as important anniversaries, are based on the Juche calendar and not the Gregorian system. This means these celebrations, such as the Day of the Shining Star (Kim Jong-il’s birthday) and the Day of the Sun (Kim Il-sung’s birthday) fall on different days each year. For example, the Day of the Sun was on April 15th in 2019 in Korea, but it falls on April 16th for 2020.
The Effect of Not Using The Gregorian Calendar System
By not using the Gregorian calendar system, North Korean citizens experience a great deal of inconvenience and confusion. Firstly, North Korea’s citizens are unable to easily view and keep track of international events and foreign holidays. Secondly, the confusion extends to online business dealings and international trade, with it being difficult for North Koreans to understand when payments are due or goods arrive in North Korea, as most currency dates, payments, and other international timelines are based on the Gregorian calendar.
Furthermore, North Koreans experience difficulty when traveling abroad because visa and driver’s license expiration dates are based on the Gregorian calendar. Many North Koreans are unaware that their licenses are not valid when they travel to other countries, resulting in long and often expensive delays while they try to obtain a valid license.
International Engagement
North Korea’s different calendar system has meant the country is often alienated from the wider international community and events, as the dates are incongruous in both systems. This has its positive side as the country’s leaders have used the Juche calendar to further differentiate from the rest of the world and make it feel as if North Korea is a separate and distinct nation. This has worked to create an increased sense of national pride among North Koreans.
At the same time, the North Korean calendar system has undoubtedly hindered international engagement. North Korea’s reluctance to abandon the Juche system is seen by many as a sign that the country remains opposed to open dialogue with other nations. Despite growing pressure from countries such as the United States and South Korea, North Korea has maintained its own calendar system as a sign that they remain completely independent from other countries.
North Korean Attitudes Towards Time
It is widely believed that North Korean attitudes towards time differ drastically from those in the West. Whereas most countries operate on a notion of linear time, North Koreans perceive time as cyclical and relative, with little emphasis placed on the passing of time. Many have argued that the rigid and oppressive regime of North Korea is a reflection of their approach to time, with seismic shifts in policy and society dependent on the whims of the ruling Kim dynasty, rather than on the passing of years.
As many North Koreans lack access to the internet and foreign media, it is believed that the passing of time is largely unknown to the country’s citizens. Without access to the news, it’s hard for many North Koreans to understand just how much time has passed, leading to a situation where many North Koreans are unaware of international events or how much time has elapsed since the country’s establishment.
Recent Changes to North Korea’s Calendar System
Since the 1990s, North Korea has gradually adopted a hybrid calendar system that combines both the Juche and Gregorian calendars, resulting in deadlines and official dates being set using both systems. The hybrid system is mainly used within the government and various organizations but is not regularly used by the citizens of North Korea.
This hybrid system also applies to North Korean newspaper. Although all North Korean newspapers continue to use the Juche calendar as the main framework, most of them also include articles that ‘translate’ the dates into the Gregorian calendar for convenience. This allows for North Korean citizens to keep track of international events and engages them in activities, such as watching foreign movies, that wouldn’t be possible without a hybrid system.
Since the end of the Korean War, North Korea has sought to establish its own unique identity by creating its own calendar system, completely distinct from the Gregorian calendar and the rest of the world. Although the system is confusing, it has also enabled North Korea to remain distinct and independent in the eyes of many. However, with the need for greater international engagement, North Korea has adopted a hybrid calendar system that allows citizens to engage in activities that require knowledge of the Gregorian calendar.
North Korea’s embrace of the hybrid calendar system is a step towards a more open and productive relations with other nations. As North Korean citizens become more aware of international affairs and events, we could see more progress in terms of North Korea’s political situation.
Access To Technology and Information
With the introduction of smartphones in North Korea and the increasing number of citizens with access to foreign media and the internet, it is more likely that North Korean citizens will become more aware of the complexities of the calendar system. By accessing media such as Western news and films, citizens can gain an understanding of the different calendar systems used in the world and how they are used.
Although North Korea is one of the most closed states in the world and many citizens are still in the dark regarding the calendar systems used by other nations, it appears that a greater number of citizens are beginning to gain access to information and technology that will help them to understand the complexities of time.
Collaboration Between North and South Korea
In recent years, North and South Korea have shown an increased willingness to collaborate, with an agreement signed in 2018 that declared the two countries would cooperate on a range of initiatives, including smoother border crossings and the introduction of a single, unified timescale. Although it remains to be seen whether a unified timescale will become a reality, the agreement shows that there is an increasing willingness for the two countries to work together and bridge the divide between them.
Even if North and South Korea were to introduce a unified timescale, it is unlikely that North Korea would abandon their own calendar system completely. Quite aside from the national pride of their Juche calendar, it could take many years before the complexities of the new timescale are really understood by North Koreans.
Economic Implications of a Unified Timescale
A unified timescale could have a tremendous impact on the North Korean economy, as economic activities are largely guided by shared international timescales. For example, transnational shipping, international banking, and foreign investments all operate on the Gregorian calendar. By adopting a unified timescale, North Korea could become more attractive to foreign investors, which could lead to greater economic opportunities for the country.
Moreover, a more unified timescale could help to reduce confusion among North Korean citizens travelling abroad and doing business with other countries. The adoption of the Gregorian calendar for official documents and banking would mean North Koreans can easily understand dates and deadlines, reducing the amount of confusion and potential problems. This could open the country up to more international business, more tourists, and more opportunities for North Korean citizens.
Cultural Impact
The adoption of a unified timescale could have far-reaching cultural and social impacts on North Korea. By having access to international news and events, North Koreans could gain a better understanding of the world and, hopefully, better understand international politics and the role of their country in the world. Furthermore, with access to different cultures, North Koreans may become more open-minded and accepting of different ways of life and opinions.
Moreover, a unified timescale could also allow North Korean citizens to travel more easily, enabling them to explore different cultures around the world and gain a better understanding of them. This could lead to a greater appreciation of different cultures, as well as a greater acceptance of different nationalities and beliefs.
Conclusion
North Korea has its own calendar system, based on the birth of the country’s founding leader, Kim Il-sung. This system is known as the Juche calendar and is used to not only differentiate North Korea from other countries but also to create a sense of national pride and self-sufficiency. Although the Juche calendar has helped North Korea stand apart from the wider international community, it can also be a hindrance as North Korean citizens have difficulty keeping track of international events, payments, and even driver’s license expiration dates.
In recent years, North and South Korea have shown an increased willingness to collaborate on a range of initiatives, including introducing a unified timescale. A unified timescale could greatly reduce confusion and misunderstandings between the two countries and may, in the long-term, pave the way for better economic opportunities, cultural understanding, and greater international engagement for North Korea.
