Background Information
North Korea, officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country located in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. It shares a border with People’s Republic of China in the north, and with Russia in the northeast. Since its establishment in 1945, North Korea has been traditionally a socialist state, describing itself as a “self-reliant” state. Currently, the president of North Korea is Kim Jong-Un, the third and youngest son of former leader Kim Jong-Il who had died suddenly in 2011.
Presidential Power
The president of North Korea holds immense power and authority, derived from the North Korean Constitution. He is Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army, and the head of the Party. He is also a leader of the Workers’ Party of Korea and holds a number of other high-ranking positions, making him the commander-in-chief and the sole center of power in the country. The president is also responsible for making decisions regarding the national economy, foreign affairs, and military strategy.
The Kim Dynasty
North Korea is famously known for its “Kim Dynasty”, which is the surname of all its past presidents. Kim Il-Sung, the first leader of North Korea, was the founder and leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and is still widely revered as the “eternal president” by North Koreans. He held the presidency from 1948 until his death in 1994. After his death, his son, Kim Jong-Il, became the president, followed by his youngest son, Kim Jong-Un, in 2011. This line of succession was the first of its kind in North Korea, and it established the Kim Dynasty as a powerful political dynasty in the country.
Rise of Kim Jong-Un
Kim Jong-Un assumed the role of president in 2011, following his father’s death. His rise to power was sudden and unexpected, as Kim Jong-Un had only been in the public eye for a few years prior to his inauguration. He was officially appointed to the title of “Supreme Leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” in 2012, and his power and influence has steadily grown since then. In 2017, he declared a new constitutional amendment that declared him the nation’s “supreme leader”, giving him immense power and authority in the country.
Domestic and Foreign Policy
Under Kim Jong-Un’s leadership, North Korea has adopted a policy of “military first” and has worked to strengthen the country’s military capabilities. He has also prioritized North Korea’s economic development, introducing market-oriented reforms and encouraging investment. In terms of foreign policy, Kim has sought to develop closer relationships with neighboring countries, as well as the international community. In 2018, he met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump, and held a historic summit between the two Koreas in an attempt to improve relations.
Analysis
Kim Jong-Un’s rise to power in North Korea was sudden and unexpected, and he has quickly established himself as the country’s most powerful leader in recent history. He has successfully shifted the nation’s focus from political ideology to economic development, and appears to be committed to developing closer ties with the international community. It remains to be seen what changes he will bring to North Korea, but there is no denying that Kim Jong-Un has had a powerful and decisive impact on the country.
International Reactions
Internationally, the reaction to Kim Jong-Un’s presidency has been mixed. Some have praised his willingness to open up to the international community and have expressed their hope that he will bring positive changes to the country. Others, however, have asserted that Kim Jong-Un is not much different than his predecessors, and have accused him of using his power to maintain and expand his control over North Korea.
Public Opinion
Within North Korea, Kim Jong-Un enjoys widespread support and is seen as a competent and powerful leader. He is seen as a symbol of national pride and is credited with bringing about economic and social progress. North Koreans view Kim Jong-Un as a leader with a modern, progressive vision for the nation, and his approval ratings remain high amongst his people.
International Engagement
Kim Jong-Un has worked to improve North Korea’s standing on the international stage, engaging in a series of diplomatic meetings with foreign leaders such as Donald Trump and Moon Jae-in. His meetings and summits have been portrayed as successful and have raised North Korea’s international profile. Kim has also expressed a willingness to negotiate and compromise, which was evident in the negotiations between North Korea and the U.S. over denuclearization.
Relations with U.S.
An important new development in the Kim Jong-Un era is the rapprochement between North Korea and the United States. Despite their adversarial past, Kim and President Trump have engaged in a diplomatic dialogue and have recently held their first summit in Singapore in 2018. The two sides have expressed their commitment to denuclearization and the establishment of a new kind of relations between their countries.
International Support
Kim Jong-Un’s diplomatic moves have also been met with international support and praise. China and Russia have both expressed their support for Kim and have applauded his efforts in promoting peace and stability in the region. The United Nations also issued a statement praising Kim and calling for more dialogue between the two Koreas.
Evaluation
Kim Jong-Un has been a controversial and highly visible leader since his rise to power, and his tenure has been defined by careful and aggressive diplomacy. He has made many successful moves to open up the hermit kingdom, and has worked to improve his nation’s standing in the international community. While it remains to be seen what changes he will bring to North Korea in the long run, it is clear that Kim Jong-Un has already had a profound effect on North Korea and the region.
