Overview
North Korea’s official state religion is Juche. It is an ideology that calls for national self-reliance through independent economic and political measures. Juche is closely linked to the North Korean political system, which is led by the Kim family. The Kim family has been at the country’s helm since the 1940s and is referred to as the supreme leader of North Korea. Despite North Korea’s official state religion, many North Koreans also practice Buddhism and other traditional belief systems, as well as a small number of Christians. Despite North Korea’s official state religion, it is difficult to ascertain who is considered the ultimate god of North Korea, if someone is in fact regarded as such.
The Cult of Personality
The concept of the ‘cult of personality’ is prominent in North Korea, with the leadership of Kim Jong Un taking the role of the god for most North Koreans. This is reinforced in all aspects of North Korean life, from the arts and media to education and propaganda. In North Korea, the leader is portrayed as having superhuman qualities, and they are often represented in official art and state propaganda in a way similar to a deity. North Koreans are taught to revere and worship the ‘supreme leader’, and to treat them with the utmost loyalty and respect.
Religious Influence
The Juche party ideology—based on the Confucianist burden of filial piety, duty and obligation—predominates in North Korea, and it is largely responsible for the unquestioned loyalty and devotion of North Koreans to their leaders. The Kim rulers have also embraced Confucianism and other traditional belief systems as part of their governing ideology. As such, North Korea is often seen to be an atheistic state, one in which there is no official god or religion.
Religious Symbolism
Despite North Korea’s lack of god or religion, there is still a strong presence of religious symbolism in the country. For example, the North Korean flag features a red star, which is often seen as a symbol of the state’s belief system. Additionally, the nation’s many monuments and public spaces are often decorated with statues of North Korean Knights, which represent the country’s military power and might. Furthermore, the ancient Korean practice of ancestor worship, and reverence for elders, is still observed in many North Korean households.
Economic and Political Impact
The close relationship between North Koreans and their leaders has had a profound economic and political impact on the nation. Under the rule of the Kim family, North Korea’s economy and society have become increasingly closed off from the rest of the world. This isolation has enabled the regime to maintain tight control over its population, relegating many citizens to poverty. Additionally, North Korea has a troubling history of human rights abuses, as its citizens have little to no say in their own lives.
North Korean Military
The North Korean military is perhaps the most tangible representation of the power the Kim family holds over North Korea. The military is the largest of its kind in the world in terms of personnel, and it is made up of both conscripts and volunteers. North Koreans view the military as an extension of the Kim regime and a protector of North Korean sovereignty. This has led to a high level of militarism and jingoism in North Korea, as citizens are taught to view their military as invincible, heroic and ultimately sacred.
Final Verdict
Since North Korea is an officially atheist state, there is no officially recognized god. However, it is clear that the Kim family is treated as the ultimate authority by North Koreans, and has been for several generations. From cultural symbolism to educational propaganda, the Kim rulers are venerated as a god-like figure in North Korea, and their influence is deeply embedded in the lives of its citizens.
The Kim Dynasty
The Kim dynasty is the ruling political family of North Korea, having held tight political control over the nation since the 1940s. The history of the Kim family has been steeped in both power and privilege, as the dynasty is known for their strict rule and state-sponsored propaganda. The cult of personality that has been built up surrounding the Kim family has been largely responsible for their control over the lives of North Koreans.
Official Rhetoric and Propaganda
The North Korean government maintains a strict control over its people, using both official rhetoric and propaganda to keep the population in line. North Korean public media idolizes the Kim family, painting them in a falsely-divine light and claiming unparalleled success in their governing of the nation. The messaging within the North Korean press paints the Kims as infallible saviors of the North Korean people, and paints those who disobey them as enemies of the state.
Citizen’s Perspectives
The loyalty of North Korean citizens to the Kim family may seem puzzling to some, and it is difficult to ascertain the true beliefs of many North Korean people. However, for many North Koreans, the Kim rulers are seen as the only stabilizing force in their country, and it is this sense of security that has resulted in a deep loyalty to the Kim dynasty.
Modernization and International Relations
North Korea remains a largely reclusive state, and its history of militarism and human rights abuses have damaged its relationship with other nations. Recently, however, there has been some progress in terms of international relations. North Korea has grown more open to diplomacy, and has even made efforts to improve its economic relationship with other nations. Additionally, it has also taken steps to modernize some aspects of its society and to expand its trading network.
Conclusion
In summary, it is difficult to ascertain who precisely is considered the god of North Korea. However, it is clear that the Kim family has been treated as a god-like figure by many North Koreans, as evidenced by the state-sponsored propaganda, military might, and cult of personality built up in their favor. Despite North Korea’s reclusiveness and troubled relationship with other nations, there are still signs of progress in terms of modernization and international relations.
