North Korea is an isolated nation run by a fearfully authoritarian regime, headed by one of the world’s most enigmatic rulers, Kim Jong-un. Kim, who was previously virtually unknown to the international community, has been in power since his father, former leader Kim Jong-il, died in 2011. Ever since then, the hermit kingdom has been shrouded in secrecy, making it difficult to glimpse what’s happening within its borders. It’s nearly impossible to discover who rules North Korea right now, and what the future of the nation looks like.
Despite the lack of public information, however, enough information is currently available to gain some insight into the underlying power structures of North Korea. At present, Kim Jong-un is the absolute leader of the nation, and the only person with ultimate decision-making authority. He is supported by a number of people in the upper echelons of North Korean power, including his sister, Kim Yo-jong, and his uncle, Jang Song-thaek, who is believed to be the country’s de facto number two. The elite of North Korea also includes a number of key military officials and powerful leaders within the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea.
Experts have noted that North Korea is an extremely closed and tightly controlled society, which makes it difficult to observe who is in charge. In general, though, it’s understood that Kim Jong-un is the one and only authority who rules North Korea with an iron fist. He has the power to appoint and remove any senior official, including military leaders, and he has an immense authority to shape the nation’s foreign policy and economic direction.
Even though the Supreme Leader is often seen as the sole authority behind North Korea’s policies and decisions, he is not completely autonomous. In reality, he often works in conjunction with a number of other powerful figures, who offer counsel and advice. These figures include Kim’s inner circle of family members, officials, and loyalists, who have been appointed by the Supreme Leader and serve as his closest advisors.
One thing is certain, Kim Jong-un is firmly in charge right now and will likely remain the leader of North Korea for the foreseeable future. It seems that he has consolidated his power and is unlikely to be removed anytime soon. This is especially true since North Korea’s constitution states that the Supreme Leader’s rule is irrevocable.
North Korea’s Economy
North Korea is known for its hermit-like isolation from the rest of the world, particularly in its economy. Since its establishment in 1945, the nation has remained virtually cut off from the global economy, relying instead on its own resources. As a result, the country’s economic development has been minimal, leaving its people to suffer from extreme poverty and deprivation.
In recent years, Kim Jong-un has sought to open up the economy and promote economic growth. He has pursued a variety of mercantilist policies, such as initiating economic reforms and seeking foreign investment. Despite these efforts, though, North Korea remains heavily dependent on external trade and investment to prop up its flagging economy.
Experts have also noted that the nation’s powerful military is one of the major factors driving the economy, as most resources and manpower are devoted to serve the armed forces. This has left North Korea’s civilian population without much access to resources, such as food and medicine, which is why North Korea is considered one of the world’s most impoverished nations.
It is clear that North Korea’s economic woes are largely rooted in its political system, as Kim Jong-un has used fear tactics to maintain power. It seems that until the Supreme Leader loosens his grip on the nation, the North Korean economy is unlikely to recover from its economic woes any time soon.
Repressive Rule in North Korea
Under Kim Jong-un’s rule, life in North Korea is far from ideal. The nation’s citizens are subject to an extra-judiciary system of law enforcement, complete with prison camps and brutal punishments for dissent or political disobedience. In addition, many of North Korea’s citizens suffer from a lack of basic rights and freedoms that other nations enjoy, such as freedom of speech and assembly.
Although Kim has made some efforts to improve North Korea’s human rights record, the situation remains dismal. For instance, the country remains one of the most secretive nations in the world and access to the internet is heavily restricted. This means citizens are unable to access information from outside sources or communicate freely with the rest of the world.
Since taking power, Kim Jong-un has also restricted access to any information about the country’s inner workings. This has made it difficult to gain any insight into his repressive rule, making it harder to gauge the full extent of North Korea’s human rights abuses.
Overall, it is clear that the situation in North Korea is dire and that its citizens lack basic freedoms and rights. As the holder of absolute power, Kim Jong-un is ultimately responsible for the state of affairs, and it is likely that his oppressive rule will remain in place until he steps down or is overthrown.
Foreign Relations with North Korea
North Korea’s foreign relations are complicated and often tense. The nation is largely isolated from the international community and does not recognize most nations. In addition, North Korea has a reputation for pursuing controversial policies, such as the development of nuclear weapons and other military threats.
Kim Jong-un has sought to improve his nation’s international standing by taking various steps, such as making diplomatic overtures to other countries and hosting summit meetings with world leaders. He has also worked to open diplomatic channels with some nations, and has even taken steps to normalize relations with certain countries.
Even so, North Korea remains an isolated nation with little contact with the outside world. This is largely because Kim Jong-un is unwilling to make any significant concessions, such as giving up its nuclear capabilities. As a result, it is unlikely that North Korea’s foreign relationships will improve anytime soon.
Cultural Norms in North Korea
North Korea is also known for its heavily regimented and traditional cultural norms. As one of the world’s most isolated nations, North Korea has a largely homogeneous population that adheres to strict rules and regulations. North Koreans are expected to follow an ideology of patriotism, loyalty, and obedience to the Supreme Leader.
In addition, the country’s citizens face significant penalties for breaking any of the laws, such as freedom of expression, movement, or access to information. This has had a huge impact on the lives of North Koreans, who are often unable to express their opinions or pursue certain activities due to fear of punishment.
Overall, it is clear that Kim Jong-un has a tight grip on North Korean society and attempts to control every aspect of its citizens’ lives. Until the Supreme Leader loosens his control, it is unlikely that the nation will experience any meaningful cultural shifts.
Humanitarian Crisis in North Korea
North Korea is also plagued by a severe humanitarian crisis that has impacted a large portion of the population. Despite Kim Jong-un’s attempts to strengthen the nation’s economy, North Korea remains one of the most impoverished countries in the world. More than 70 percent of its citizens face extreme poverty and food insecurity, and nearly one-third of the population is chronically malnourished.
Moreover, North Korea’s healthcare system is in shambles, exacerbated by chronic underfunding and shortages of medical supplies. The lack of medical resources has led to a surge in preventable diseases, including the recent outbreak of Covid-19.
These severe economic and humanitarian issues bring into sharp relief the massive amounts of resources that are devoted to North Korea’s military. As long as the Supreme Leader continues to prioritize the armed forces over the basic needs and safety of his citizens, it is unlikely that the humanitarian crisis in North Korea will be resolved.
American Sanctions and North Korea
In recent years, the United States government has imposed strict sanctions on North Korea in response to its nuclear weapons program. These sanctions have had a severely detrimental effect on the country’s economy and drastically restricted its access to the global economy.
Kim Jong-un has responded by attempting to evade the sanctions, primarily through illegal activities, such as illicit trade, counterfeiting operations, and cyber-theft. However, these efforts have not been enough to shield North Korea from the economic impact of the sanctions, which has made it harder for the country’s citizens to access food and medical supplies.
It is clear that the economic sanctions against North Korea have had a devastating effect and that the current government is unable to offset the impact of the sanctions. As long as the sanctions remain in place, it is unlikely that the North Korean economy will be able to recover.
Conclusion
It is clear that the situation in North Korea is complicated and ever-changing. Kim Jong-un is firmly in charge of the nation, and is supported by a number of powerful figures in the upper echelons of North Korean power. The nation is plagued by economic woes, a repressive political atmosphere, and a humanitarian crisis, all of which seem to be exacerbated by the economic sanctions imposed by the United States. Until Kim Jong-un loosens his grip on the nation and ends the sanctions, it is unlikely that the situation in North Korea will improve anytime soon.
