Introduction
North Korea is one of the most isolated and enigmatic countries in the world. It is rarely discussed in the media and few people can name its leaders. It is a tightly controlled state, isolated from the rest of the world due to its commitment to a distinct form of communism. Despite its insular nature, North Korea’s economic, political and social systems are heavily influenced by its leaders. This article will identify and discuss the current leaders of North Korea.
The Kim Dynasty
The Kim Dynasty is perhaps the most influential dynasty in The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea). Its origin dates back to the 1940s when Kim Il-sung came to power in the wake of Japanese colonial rule. He served as the nation’s first leader until his death in 1994 and his son, Kim Jong-il, took control. Following Kim Jong-il’s death in 2011, the youngest son, Kim Jong-un, currently reigns as the supreme leader of North Korea. This authoritarian dictatorship has been perpetuated by the success of the Kim family, which has increased in strength throughout its rule.
Kim Jong-un
As the current leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un stands out from his predecessors. He assumed power in 2011 and has used constitutional innovation to increase his control over the state. He has received a progressive education, comparatively speaking, and is said to be open-minded and sophisticated. His advanced economic policies are shifting the nation toward a market economy even as he pursues the development of nuclear weapons programs. To support his agenda, Kim Jong-un has increased hardline censorship and tightened domestic restrictions. He maintains a powerful grip on the nation despite international pressure to renew negotiations on denuclearization.
The Workers’ Party of Korea
The Workers’ Party of Korea is the ruling political party in North Korea. It is a cult-like organization, heavily influenced by its leader, Kim Jong-un. The party’s mission is to promote socialism and consult with Kim on important political decisions. It enjoys a monopoly on power and is heavily involved in propagandizing its constituents. The party is organized primarily into the Central Committee and nine commissions, such as the Commission of Propaganda and Agitation and the Commission for the Protection of the State.
The Armed Forces
North Korea maintains one of the largest standing armies in the world. It is estimated that the nation has almost 1.2 million active personnel who are loyal to Kim Jong-un. This is one of the most powerful military forces in the world, with highly advanced weapons and nuclear capabilities. This army is an integral part of Kim’s vision of a secure and powerful North Korea.
The Propaganda State
North Korea is a propaganda state, meaning the government focuses on promoting a single preferred point of view. Propaganda campaigns are used to glorify the Kim family and to extoll the virtue of the Workers’ Party of Korea. North Korea has some of the most draconian media censorship laws in the world. The press presents only the most favorable view of the Kim dynasty and the Workers’ Party of Korea, ignoring the severe human rights violations that occur under its rule.
Cultural Impact
The impact of the Kim dynasty and the Workers’ Party of Korea is far-reaching. The culture of North Korea has been heavily shaped by the influence of its leaders, and it remains largely isolated from the rest of the world. People follow a strict code of conduct dictated by the government. The nation’s youth are heavily invested in nationalist education and celebrate the greatness of the Kim dynasty.
Juche
Juche is a political ideology formulated and promoted by Kim Il-sung. It is an idiosyncratic interpretation of Marxism combining aspects of Confucianism. It is a “national self reliance” doctrine that promotes the idea of North Korea as a self-sufficient nation with a strong commitment to independence and individualism. North Korea considers itself the world’s only “Juche country” and the ideology is used to mobilize its citizens and glorify the Kim dynasty.
Economic Development
North Korea is one of the most isolated and poverty-stricken countries in the world. Its command economy is in dire need of reform, and despite some attempts at liberalizing the market economy, economic development has remained stilted. Kim Jong-un has prioritized bolstering the nation’s economic output, encouraging foreign investment, and building a more open market system. But despite his efforts, it remains one of the poorest countries in the world with a highly unequal distribution of income.
International Relations
North Korea has a history of strained relations with the international community. Its secretive nature and its commitment to nuclear armament has created tension with other world powers. In 2018, Kim Jong-un held a historic summit with US President Donald Trump, which resulted in a thaw in relations between the two countries. However, North Korea continues to be a source of instability in the international system and it remains mostly isolated from the rest of the world.
Conclusion
The leaders of North Korea have held a perpetual grip on the nation’s political, social and economic orders. The Kim dynasty and the Workers’ Party of Korea dominate North Korean life and mandate a particular set of values and cultural practices. Kim Jong-un is the current leader and he has pursued radical structural reforms, attempting to open up the market economy and improve upon the nation’s economic output. Nevertheless, North Korea remains largely isolated from the rest of the world and its leaders remain enigmatic figures.
