North Korea is one of the most secretive countries in the world, ruling with an iron fist and fiercely protecting its sovereignty. As such, the identity of the current President of North Korea is not often discussed nor is it easily known.
The most recent President of North Korea is Kim Jong Un. He is the immediate successor to his father, Kim Jong Il, and assumed office in 2011. He is the Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the Supreme Leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as well as the Head of State. Kim Jong Un is the first North Korean leader to have been born after the country’s founding.
In line with the North Korean authoritarian system of hereditary dictatorship, Kim Jong Un maintains absolute control over the country. All major decisions have to be are made with his approval, and his commands are blindly obeyed. Apart from the personal characteristics which qualify him to serve as the Supreme Leader – such as his education, experience and pedigree – Kim Jong Un’s influence is primarily derived from his ability to command the loyalty of a small circle of trusted elites in the Workers’ Party of Korea.
In recent years, Kim Jong Un’s regime has been marked by a number of controversial decisions, such as the escalation of nuclear testing and foreign provocations. He is also responsible for the increased presence of military personnel on the streets of Pyongyang and the tightening of border control. In addition, his decrees concerning the assimilation of North Korean culture into the broader Korean Peninsula have raised some eyebrows.
Despite these authoritarian policies, there have been some positive developments too. Kim Jong Un has spearheaded a number of economic and infrastructure projects, including the construction of a light railway connecting Pyongyang and the surrounding cities. He has also introduced a number of reforms to open the country’s economy, including the legalisation of certain foreign investments, the relaxing of currency restrictions and the liberalisation of the labour market.
International observers remain divided over Kim Jong Un as the President of North Korea. On the one hand, many are appalled at his oppressive tactics and violations of human rights. On the other, some point out that he has made efforts to promote economic development and open up the country’s closed-off society.
Not surprisingly, opinions of the current President of North Korea vary greatly. But one thing is clear: Kim Jong Un’s influence and power are deeply entrenched, and he is likely to remain at the helm of North Korea’s government for the foreseeable future.
Role of the Workers’ Party
The Workers’ Party of Korea is the ruling party of North Korea and currently led by Kim Jong Un. It is responsible for establishing and enacting the policies and dreams of the Supreme Leader, and is extremely influential in deciding the future trajectory of the country. The Workers’ Party has branches that reach deep into all parts of North Korea, including its diplomatic posts, security forces and economic entities. These party organs were instrumental in providing Kim Jong Un with the foundation to hold the country’s highest office.
The views and decisions of the Workers’ Party are highly sought-after by the people of North Korea, and so the opinion of the Party towards Kim Jong Un is one of utmost importance. Since Kim Jong Un has assumed office, the Workers’ Party has been largely supportive of his rule and actively encourages people to back him. This support has been demonstrated in by their public statements, as well as their operational decisions and their interactions with other countries.
The Workers’ Party of Korea is the main conduit through which Kim Jong Un’s politics, policies and slogans are propagated throughout North Korea. It is responsible for ensuring that the Supreme Leader’s visions are brought to life, and that the country remains united and cohesive. Consequently, the Workers’ Party is the key to the success of Kim Jong Un’s rule over North Korea.
Control of the Media
The media in North Korea is subject to strict government control and censorship, serving mainly as a tool to propagate the opinion and policies of the regime. The media outlets, including radio, television, newspapers, and magazines, are all state owned and regulated, and only publish content in line with the North Korean worldview and desired political outcomes.
Kim Jong Un holds firm sway over media in the country. This is especially evident with regards to international media outlets, which are not allowed to operate in North Korea and are subject to severe criticism and restrictions. This has, in turn, resulted in extreme censorship and the silencing of dissenting voices.
Domestic media outlets are also tightly managed and operate with very little in the way of independent journalism, in large part due to the regime’s annual budget for media operations. This budget is not only used to fund the production of content but also to monitor and control which stories make it to air. When it comes to the media, it can be said that Kim Jong Un has succeeded in forming an ironclad barrier around the flow of information in North Korea.
Military Power & Aggressive Tactics
Kim Jong Un firmly holds the reins of power in North Korea, partly due to his military might. The North Korean military is one of the strongest in the region, boasting over 1.2 million personnel and a potential range of conventional, nuclear and chemical weapons. Kim Jong Un has been known to make use of the military’s power to further his aims, both domestically and internationally.
For instance, the North Korean regime has long adopted a policy of aggressive posturing towards the outside world. This is evidenced by a plethora of sabre-rattling activities such as military exercises, live-fire drills, missile tests, and provocative rhetoric.
Under Kim Jong Un’s leadership, the North Korean military has also been deployed domestically as a means of controlling the population and quashing dissent. This has been done through shows of force such as public executions, mass mobilisations of security forces, and the deployment of troops in residential areas.
Kim Jong Un’s aggressive military tactics have been met with derision in many western countries, particularly following the increasing frequency of intercontinental ballistic missiles tests. But these policies have been useful in bolstering the regime’s domestic popularity and reinforcing the notion that he holds absolute power over the fate of North Korea.
Economy & Foreign Relations
Despite its dependence on foreign aid and international trade, North Korea remains largely isolated from the global community. This is largely thanks to the policies of the Kim Jong Un regime, which have made it difficult for the country to be accepted in the global arena. This has a critical impact on the North Korean economy which has long been affected by the sanctions placed on it by the United Nations.
Kim Jong Un has also been known to engage in cynical acts of economic exploitation. For instance, in 2020, the United Nations accused North Korea of raising millions of dollars through the shipment of coal and other commodities, in violation of international sanctions.
On the foreign relations front, Kim Jong Un has adopted a complex strategy that mixes diplomacy with military aggression. In recent years, the regime has made efforts to thaw relations with the United States, South Korea and other powers, but these have so far failed to produce any meaningful breakthroughs.
In addition, the North Korean regime has been deepening its ties with other autocratic regimes such as China, Russia, and Iran. These ties have allowed North Korea to gain access to military and financial aid, as well as political support in international forums. This is especially evident in the United Nations Security Council, where North Korea is often protected from international censure.
