Origin of North Korea Rulers
The history of North Korea dates back to the first half of the 20th century, when it was a major part of the Korean peninsula. In 1948, North Korea was officially established as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, although really it had been under the control of various rulers since 1912. In that year, the Empire of Japan decided to annex the Korean peninsula, and subsequently ruled it until 1945.
Korean Empire
After Japan annexed the Korean peninsula, it was ruled as a part of the Japanese empire until 1945. During this time, Japanese emperors, including Hirohito, had ultimate authority over the management of the Korean peninsula. During the early part of this period, the Korean language was replaced with Japanese, and people living in Korea had little to no rights or freedoms as citizens of Japan.
Korean Provisional Government
In 1919, a provisional government was established by Korean expats living in Shanghai, China and led by the charismatic and courageous activists Syngman Rhee. This government sought to establish an independent Korean state and campaigned heavily for Korea’s liberation from Japan. This was achieved in 1945, when Japan was defeated in World War II, and Korea was declared an independent state.
USSR Influence
After Japan’s defeat in World War II, the Soviet Union immediately took control of the northern part of Korea, while US forces took the southern half. This divide of the two halves of the country was eventually cemented when a line of demarcation, the 38th Parallel, was drawn in 1948. This was done in order to create two separate regions of governance, one led by the Soviets and the other by the US.
Kim Il Sung Regime
In the North, the Soviet-backed Kim Il Sung was appointed as leader. From 1948 to 1994, Kim Il Sung ruled the country with an iron fist, ruthlessly suppressing dissent and cultivating a powerful personality cult. During his reign, he developed a secretive policy known as “Juche”, which was based on the idea of North Korean self-reliance. He was succeeded by his son, Kim Jong Il, who continued his father’s policies until his death in 2011.
Competition for Power
While Kim Il Sung was the most powerful player in North Korea during his reign, the post-WWII period in the region was actually quite complex and there were several other figures vying for power. Some of the most prominent were Sin Ik-hyon, leader of the Democratic Party of North Korea, and Ho Hon, one of Kim Il Sung’s most trusted aides. There were also several factions of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army that vied for power in the early 1950s, although Kim Il Sung was widely regarded as the preeminent leader.
North Korea Under Kim Jong Un
After the death of Kim Jong Il in 2011, his son, Kim Jong Un, assumed power. Over the past few years, he has implemented a number of changes in his domestic policies, including increased economic development, the promotion of science and technology, and the loosening of restrictions on the press. Internationally, he has sought to reestablish North Korea’s authority and reach out to other countries, including its neighbors in South Korea as well as China and the United States.
The Enactment of the Songun Policy
Kim Jong Un introduced a new policy to North Korea upon his ascension to power. Called “Songun” or military-first policy, it expanded the prevalence of the military within the country. It allocated resources to developing the armed forces first and prioritised the army’s needs over those of the citizens.
The Impact of the Songun Policy
The Songun policy had an immense impact on North Korea’s domestic and foreign policy. Domestically, it provided security for Kim Jong Un’s rule as he increased the presence of the military within the country’s governing institutions. Internationally, it led to a marked increase in North Korea’s military capability, resulting in increased tension on the Korean peninsula and between North Korea and its neighbors.
Relations with the US
The Songun policy also has had an impact on the relationship between North Korea and the United States. Over the past decade, the two countries have engaged in a number of diplomatic efforts to try and reach an agreement, both bilaterally and through multilateral channels. However, tensions have continued to remain high between the two nations and there is no sign of any imminent breakthrough.
The Future of North Korea
Although North Korea is ruled by a powerful and autocratic leader, its future is far from certain. Kim Jong Un’s policy of strict isolationism has kept North Korea largely cut-off from the rest of the world and its citizens largely in the dark about the outside world. The growing international pressure on the country could potentially be a catalyst for change, although it remains to be seen if real and lasting reform will take place in the near to medium future.
