Background
North Korea is a country in East Asia that was founded in 1948, after the division of Korea during World War II. The Korean peninsula was divided in 1945, into two distinct regions – the North and South – each overseen by different foreign governments. The North, along with its State of Japan, was backed by communist countries, such as the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China. North Korea is the northernmost country in the world and is governed by the Korean Workers’ Party (KWP). The KWP follows a centrally planned economy and operates under totalitarian rule, with the absolute rule of the late Kim Il-sung. Kim Il-sung was the first communist leader of North Korea and also the state’s founder.
Kim Il-sung
Kim Il-sung was born in 1912 in a small village in the North Hamgyong province. By 1927, he was studying Marxism-Leninism at the University of Moscow, and in 1930, Kim Il-sung returned to Korea and founded the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army (KPRA). For the next two decades, Kim Il-sung acted as a leader of the KPRA and led numerous movements against Japanese rule. In 1945, the Kakuryo talks were held between Kim Il-sung and the ruling Superpowers to discuss the division of Korea. The result of these negotiations was the division of Korea into North and South.
After the division, Kim Il-sung was declared “Great Leader” and named the first President of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in 1948. Kim Il-sung was a competent and loyal statesman who worked to unify the North. Kim Il-sung unified the wealthy and poor classes, nationalized major industries and tightened the grip of totalitarian rule on the North Korean populace. He also implemented the juche ideology, a system of governance based on Marxism–Leninism and Korean nationalism.
Techniques of Oppression
In order to keep control over the population, Kim Il-sung used a number of oppressive techniques; some of the most common methods used by the North Korean government include: censorship, propaganda and the government-controlled media, collectivization of farms, and a network of prisons and labor camps. Kim Il-sung also promoted the cult of personality surrounding himself and his family, with many public spaces and structures being inscribed with his name and propaganda.
North Korean Politics Today
Kim Il-sung ruled North Korea for nearly 50 years until his death in 1994. He was succeeded by his son, Kim Jong-il, and after his death in 2011, his grandson Kim Jong-un took over running of the state. The current political system in North Korea is based on the authoritarian rule of the Kim family and the Korean Workers’ Party (KWP).
The current president, Kim Jong-un, is known for his hardline policies, such as the isolationist economy, nuclear weapon program, and human rights abuses. The United Nations has imposed several sanctions on North Korea due to its human rights violations and its continued testing of nuclear weapons. The current state of North Korean politics is a far cry from the egalitarian society that Kim Il-sung sought to create.
Economic Impact
North Korea has a struggling economy and is largely reliant on foreign aid and trade from countries such as China. The North Korean government suffers from widespread corruption and the economy has been affected by sanctions implemented by the United Nations in an attempt to restrict its nuclear program. The sanctions have led to a decrease in the availability of food, goods and services for the general public. The economic impact of Kim Il-sung’s policies continues to be felt by the North Korean people today.
Legacy
Kim Il-sung is remembered as a revolutionary leader who founded the DPRK and unified the North Koreans. Though he was authoritarian in his approach and ruthless in his rule, Kim Il-sung’s rule is often remembered fondly by North Koreans, especially the older generations who experienced his time in power. His legacy is a powerful one and his family continues to stay in control of the North Korean government.
Effects on South Korea
The division of Korea into North and South has had long-lasting and far-reaching effects on the Korean peninsula. In the South, there is a strong anti-North sentiment due to the North Korea’s persistent threats and provocations. The South Korean government and military have had to dedicate a significant portion of their resources to being prepared in-case of a possible attack from the North. This tension between the two countries continues to rise, despite recent inter-Korean talks, and it appears that it will take many years before the two countries can create a lasting peace.
Regional Repercussions
The conflict between North and South Korea continues to have an effect on other countries in the region, such as those in the United Nations-backed coalition forces. The North Korean regime’s belligerent attitude has increased military tensions in the region, resulting in an increased military presence from nearby countries such as Japan, China, and the United States.
Also, the economic sanctions against North Korea imposed by the United Nations have had economic repercussions for countries in the region. Countries such as China and Russia, who rely heavily on trade with North Korea, have suffered economically due to the sanctions. The existence of the sanctions is further proof of the far-reaching ripple effects of the actions of the first communist leader of North Korea.
International Opinion
Though Kim Il-sung was a controversial and sometimes reviled leader, in many respects he was also considered a statesman. The South Korean government has recently taken steps to honor Kim Il-sung, such as when the South Korean president paid his respects at Kim Il-sung’s grave in 2018. This gesture of respect toward a historically reviled leader, while perhaps seemingly contradictory, is evidence of the evolving dynamism of the tense situation between North and South Korea.
The international opinion of North Korean leadership has not been consistent over time. In the past, North Korea was seen as a dangerous rogue state and its leaders were seen as belligerent and unreasonable. Now, however, many countries are beginning to recognize the potential for dialogue and the diplomatic potential that exists between North and South Korea.
Conclusion of Khrushchev’s Rule
In 1953, Kim Il-sung’s rule came to an end when he was removed as leader of the DPRK by then-Soviet leader Khrushchev. Khrushchev had been critical of Kim Il-sung’s policies and felt that the North Korea leader had become too powerful and out of control. Kim Il-sung was removed from power and replaced with a Soviet-backed party leader, and Khrushchev’s rule lasted until 1977.
The removal of Kim Il-sung from power led to a period of deregulation and economic liberalization in North Korea. This had long-lasting effects on the North Korean economy, and it was not until the 1990s that the North Korean economy began to recover.
Economic Recovery
Since the end of Khrushchev’s rule, North Korea has experienced a slow but steady economic recovery. In recent years, the North Korean government has begun to implement reforms in an attempt to improve the country’s economy. These reforms have included loosening restrictions on foreign investment and trade, and the development of special economic zones.
Despite this progress, North Korea’s economy remains heavily reliant on foreign aid and humanitarian assistance and the economic situation for many North Koreans remains dire. The economic legacy of Kim Il-sung continues to be felt today in North Korea, and the country is still struggling with the aftermath of the policies adopted under his rule.
Future Prospects
Despite the continued economic and political struggles of North Korea, there is a hopeful future for the nation. The current leader, Kim Jong-un, has expressed interest in engaging in diplomatic relations with the outside world. Recent rapprochement between North and South Korea, with the two countries engaging in joint projects and inter-Korean talks, has led to some optimism of a potential breakthrough in the peace process.
The North Korean government has also made some progress in human rights, with the government recently agreed to allow UN inspectors to visit its labor camps. It is too soon to tell if this progress can be sustained, but it is a hopeful sign for the possibility of a future in which North Korea and its people have the chance to thrive.
