Fear as a Tool
North Korea is one of the most oppressive countries in the world, and this oppressive state has become so due to a combination of fear and loyalty. Fear is used to manipulate the population and ensure compliance with the state’s will. This
can be seen in education, in the prison system, and in the media.
The North Korean education system does not teach its students critical thinking or ideological self-expression. Instead, it indoctrinates students with the state’s vision and encourages them to think in terms of absolute loyalty and obedience.
For example, during gym class, students must line up in an alternating “loyalty formation” with one hand raised to salute their leader, Kim Jong-un. The idea is to make sure the students are always aware of their allegiance, and to
instill in them a sense of unquestioned loyalty to the state.
The prison system in North Korea is equally oppressive; in fact, some researchers have called it the “worst in the world”. Prisons are harsh and inhumane, with reports of brutality, torture, and even mass executions of political prisoners.
Another tool in the North Korean oppressors’ toolbox is the media. The media in North Korea is state-run and strictly censored, with all media outlets strictly controlled and monitored. Content is regularly censored to remove anything
that might be even vaguely critical of the government, while stories and images that support the state are heavily promoted. As a result, North Koreans are constantly exposed to state propaganda, with little access to alternative
sources of information.
The fear inherent in the North Korean system is self-exacerbating; it has become so oppressive because it is so fearful of losing control. The effects of this fear are highly visible: lack of free speech, lack of access to information,
and repression of any sort of dissent or criticism. But at its heart, the oppressive nature of North Korea is rooted in fear; fear of its own citizens and of the world around it.
Political System as Silencer
The North Koreans regime is a silencer, which means it captivates people’s mind and shuts them up. This attitude has been ingrained in the North Korean political system since its establishment in 1948, when the first leader, Kim Il-sung, put
forward the slogan “Let’s Put the People in Their Place!”
Kim Il-sung aimed to instill absolute loyalty to the state and the ruling Kim family through a harsh policy of collectivization and repressive state control. This meant that citizens were subject to a wide range of state-sanctioned social
and political controls, such as censorship of media and free speech, intense surveillance, resulting in very limited access to information about the outside world.
The result was a society in which there was no room for debate or dissent and citizens were expected to demonstrate complete loyalty and obedience to the state’s authoritarian policies. This oppressive political system also meant very
little access to basic rights, such as freedom of speech, press, association, and movement.
North Korea’s oppressive political system has resulted in an extreme lack of freedom of expression on all levels, including the internet. The internet is heavily monitored and any activity that is seen as a threat to the regime is quickly
tracked and silenced. For example, the government has recently increased its efforts to control and monitor the use of social media and other websites, such as YouTube, to ensure that no videos or posts are seen as critical of the government
or its policies.
Overall, this extreme lack of freedom of expression is seen as one of the main contributing factors to North Korea’s oppressive state. The government has created a political system that is based on fear and absolute loyalty, and citizens
are not allowed to voice dissent or even think for themselves.
Cultural Norms
North Korea’s oppressive culture is based on the belief that the leader and the ruling party are infallible and absolute. Citizens are expected to show absolute loyalty, obedience and reverence for the nation, the leader and the ruling
party. This belief system has been so deeply ingrained in North Korean culture that citizens are not even allowed to express any form of criticism.
This oppressive way of thinking puts a heavy strain on citizens, who must always be on their guard and be careful not to express any kind of negative thoughts or opinions. This kind of environment means that citizens are often too afraid
to express their views or speak out against the regime, leading to a society with a very limited amount of independent thought or intellectual exploration.
This oppressive attitude also manifests itself in the way the North Korean people interact with one another, as citizens are always wary of what they say in public or private. This makes it difficult for them to engage in meaningful conversation
or even have an honest debate, as they are constantly aware that any opinion that departs from the official state ideology will be punished.
It is also important to remember that this oppressive culture is maintained by a strict system of punishments and repression. Citizens who express any sort of criticism against the authorities or the state ideology are often punished
harshly, with imprisonment, public shaming, and even death. This reinforces the belief among citizens that dissent is not tolerated, and serves as a powerful deterrent for anyone who might be thinking of challenging the authorities
or their policies.
Overall, North Korea’s oppressive culture is the result of a long-standing belief that the leader and the ruling party are infallible and absolute. This belief has been so entrenched in North Korean society that citizens feel powerless
to fight against it and are too afraid to speak out.
Lack of Material Goods
Another factor that contributes to North Korea’s oppressive nature is the lack of material goods, services and amenities available to citizens. Despite the country’s wealth of natural resources, the economy is heavily strained by the exaggerated
military spending, leaving little resources available to citizens. As a result, citizens must rely heavily on the state for basic essentials, such as food, shelter and other basic amenities.
Moreover, access to these resources is tightly controlled. This means that citizens are not free to purchase goods or services of their own choosing, as such purchases are subject to disapproving eyes of the ruling party. This lack of access
to basic goods and services is seen as a form of control and is used as a way to keep citizens from being able to make informed choices about their own lives.
Another consequence of North Korea’s oppressive regime is a lack of economic opportunity. Due to the centralized control of the economy, citizens are not allowed to pursue entrepreneurial activities or form businesses. This makes it
difficult for citizens to improve their lives and further restricts their access to basic amenities and resources.
Finally, North Korea’s oppressive regime contributes to the lack of access to basic healthcare and education. Healthcare facilities are limited and often lack the necessary supplies and medications, while the education system is heavily
biased towards ideological indoctrination rather than critical thinking.
Overall, the lack of resources and economic opportunities available to North Korean citizens represents yet another factor contributing to its oppressive nature.
Conclusion
North Korea is an oppressive country, and the cause of this oppressive state is rooted in fear, loyalty, and silencing of citizens. Fear is used to manipulate the population, while the political system is designed to ensure complete obedience to
the state. Similarly, the state’s oppressive culture is based on an infallible belief in the leader and the ruling party. Finally, the lack of material goods and economic opportunities available to North Koreans further restricts their
access to basic amenities and resources.
In sum, North Korea’s oppressive state is the result of a combination of factors, all of which serve to keep citizens from speaking out and challenging the government and its oppressive policies.
