Development of Communism in North Korea
North Korea, officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, has been an independent nation since 1948 and it has been a communist nation since its formation. Communism is an economic and social system in which the government owns and controls the means of production and distribution of goods, resources and labour. In North Korea, the state controls nearly all the aspects of production, allocation and investment of the resources.
In the early 20th century, North Korea was occupied by the Empire of Japan. During this period, Japan exploited the Korean nation, fostering inward migration and land appropriation to Japanese settlers, creating an agricultural system based on feudalism, and developing a North Korean economy that was heavily dependent on Japan. The Korean people were left with little to no freedom and no self-determination.
When World War II ended, North Korea was liberated from Japanese rule and formed an independent socialist government. The Korean Workers’ Party was established in 1946, and in 1948 the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was declared, with the intention of establishing a socialist-based economy under a popularly elected government. The Korean Workers’ Party was successful in its political agenda and within two years, North Korea became a communist nation.
The primary reason for North Korea to adopt a communist government was to protect its sovereignty and promote rapid economic development. North Korea’s economic progress was hindered by its geographic location, lack of resources and its dependence on foreign aid. The Party declared the desire to create an industrial production system in the country by modeling Soviet economic principles and policies. This would ensure economic autonomy and provide economic security against external interference, mainly from the United States.
Moreover, North Korea’s government was committed to providing citizens with food security and welfare. This was seen as an essential part of the communist movement and development. Through state control of the economy, North Korea was able to establish institutions and laws that provided food and basic necessities for the citizens. This was a major factor in North Korea’s adoption of the communist system.
Furthermore, North Korea was driven to a communist evolution by its external circumstances. After the Korean War, North Korea established and maintained strong ties with Soviet Union and China, both of which were communist nations. North Korea was able to get access to Soviet economic and military aid, to maintain a strong and developed military and to sustain its own defense capabilities during the Cold War.
North Korea became a communist nation due to the combination of various factors. The legacy of Japanese colonialism, the intention to gain economic autonomy, the need to protect its citizens and the external pressure due to its involvement in the Cold War were the main catalysts of its communist transition.
Impact of the Economy on North Korea
The formation of North Korea as a communist nation has had a tremendous effect on the economy of the country. North Korea adopted a centrally planned economy modeled after the Soviet Union, in which the state controlled production and distribution of goods and resources to both citizens and enterprises.
North Korea’s centrally planned economy has had a series of positive and negative consequences for the development of the country. On the positive side, North Korea has been able to achieve a degree of self-sufficiency, with a focus on production of basic goods and services. This has enabled the country to become a net exporting nation and maintain relative food security.
However, the downsides to North Korea’s economy have been large. The state’s control of the economy has severely limited the autonomy of individuals and enterprises, paving the way for large-scale corruption and a sluggish economy prone to economic crisis. Moreover, attempts to reform the economy have had limited success as the government has been largely unwilling to relinquish dominant control over decisions made within the system.
Moreover, the North Korean economy has become heavily dependent on international assistance. This has limited the potential of the North Korean economy to grow and innovate, resulting in a highly volatile economy that is largely dependent on external factors. This dependence also raises the potential for political manipulation and coercive economic practices.
Furthermore, the lack of a proper legal system has resulted in an environment of insecurity that has discouraged foreign investment and allowed illicit economic activities. This in turn has negatively impacted the economic development of the country.
Overall, North Korea’s adoption of communism had a considerable impact on its economic development. The effects of this transition were both positive and negative and largely depend on the country’s ability to reform its economic system in order to improve upon the current state of the economy.
Political Repression in North Korea
Since its formation, North Korea has maintained an authoritarian regime that has restricted the rights of individuals and organizations from participating in any form of political or civil protest. This has decreased the potential for a strong civil society to develop or for any sort of liberal reforms to take place.
The roots of North Korea’s authoritarian rule lie in the years after World War II, when the state moved to stamp out any form of political opposition to its rise to power. In the industrial sector, any form of organized or independent union was prohibited and harshly suppressed. In the media sector, all newspapers and television were state-controlled and censorship and propaganda were used to ensure a one-sided view of the world.
Moreover, the state used an extensive system of surveillance and repression to ensure compliance. Individuals were banned from owning private cars, travelling overseas, reading newspapers and other literature deemed unacceptable by the state, and were harshly punished for any attempts to escape the country. Political activists faced imprisonment and torture, while dissenters risked execution.
Furthermore, North Korea’s government has also maintained a system of political indoctrination. This has included a focus on personality-cult nationalism, in which all decisions are deemed to have been made by the leader and the veneration of the state is upheld as a sign of loyalty. This has resulted in a population that is largely apolitical and compliant with the state’s dictates.
Overall, the authoritarian policies implemented in North Korea have severely limited the potential for political participation in the country. The state has made any attempt to challenge its authority a crime and has ensured a population that is largely politically powerless.
Human Rights Violations in North Korea
The totalitarian nature of North Korea’s government has led to numerous human rights violations by the state. Such violations include the lack of free expression and free speech, the lack of free association, lack of freedom of religion, lack of freedom of movement, suppression of political and civil rights, and the use of torture and arbitrary detention.
Perhaps the most notorious example of human rights violations in North Korea concerns the prison camps that have been established by the state. These camps are extremely harsh, with many prisoners subjected to slave labor and torture. The conditions in the camps have been labeled as human rights violations, with many prisoners being subjected to forced abortions, forced labor, and medical experimentation. There are also reports of mass killings and the use of chemical weapons.
Moreover, North Korea has been criticized for its treatment of refugees who have tried to flee the country. Thousands of refugees have been forcibly repatriated to North Korea, where they face harsh punishments and even execution. In addition, North Korea has also been accused of using starvation as a tool of political control, withholding basic necessities from vulnerable populations or using food as a means of rewarding or punishing individuals.
Overall, North Korea’s human rights record has long been a source of international criticism. The nation’s authoritarian regime has curtailed many of the political and civil liberties that citizens of other nations take for granted and has enabled a system of repression, exploitation and punishment.
Western Influence on North Korea
North Korea’s resistance to western interference has long been seen as a source of stability in the region. During the Cold War, North Korea positioned itself as a counterbalance to the United States, seeking to spread its communist ideology while resisting western cultural and political influence.
Since the end of the Cold War, North Korea has maintained its hardline stance toward the west. This is in part due to the presence of US troops in South Korea, seen as a direct threat to North Korean autonomy, as well as North Korea’s increasing isolation from the rest of the world. North Korea’s government has limited the access of its citizens to foreign culture and media, in an attempt to protect its own ideology.
However, in recent years, there has been a growing trend of limited openness in regards to the western world. This has included the opening of several new foreign embassies in North Korea, the acceptance of foreign investment and aid, and the limited access to outside media. This has been seen as a potential step towards greater openness in the future, and a sign that North Korea is interested in stronger ties with the western world.
Overall, North Korea’s current policy of limited openness towards the western world is viewed with cautious optimism. Such steps have been seen as precursors to increased interaction and cooperation between the two sides, in an attempt to find common ground for mutually beneficial relations.
Conclusion
North Korea’s adoption of communism has had a large impact on the country and its citizens. The transition to a centrally planned economy has had both positive and negative consequences, while human rights violations and authoritarian rule have severely limited the potential for political and economic progress. Moreover, North Korea’s resistance to western influence has been seen as a source of stability, although it has limited the potential for increased access to foreign technology and culture.
