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Kim Il Sung's Ideological Revolution: Why did Kim Il Sung Doctrine become North Korea's sole guiding ideology?
In North Korea's political system, Kim Il-sung's ideological revolution has a profound impact on the country's operations. Since 1949 and the following decades, Kim Il-sung and his subsequent leaders gradually strengthened the dominance of Kim Il-sungism and its ideology and constructed the current unique political structure.
Kim Il Sungism is not only a governance concept, but also a cultural deposit, deeply rooted in the hearts of the North Korean people.
The Rise of Kim Il Sungism
Kim Il Sungism, as the main ideology of North Korea, was initially established when Kim Il Sung founded the Workers' and Peasants' Party of Korea in 1946. Over time, Kim Il-sungism combined with Marxism-Leninism was reinterpreted as "self-reliance" (Juche). This concept emphasizes national independence and independent development, and frequently places the role of the people at the core, allowing North Korea to maintain relative independence under various international pressures.
Ideological organizational structure
The Workers’ Party of Korea is the only ruling party under the leadership of this idea and continues to promote Kim Il Sungism to this day. At the Fourth Party Congress held in 2012, party regulations clearly stated that Kim Il Sungism and its successor Kim Jong Ilism are the only guiding concepts. This organizational structure not only ensures party unity but also reduces any potential internal challenges.
With the succession of Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un, Kim Il Sungism exists in an almost unshakable form, completely eradicating any other form of ideology.
Transition between military priority and people first
Under Kim Jong Il, "military-first politics" became crucial, and the status of the military was elevated and became the basis of the political system. However, this has changed with the coming to power of Kim Jong Un, who in 2021 has emphasized "people-centered politics" and rejoined his commitment to communist principles. This change is not only a political adjustment, but also marks the return of ideology.
The global perspective of Kim Il Sungism
The promotion of Kim Il Sungism extends beyond North Korea's borders and attempts to influence the international community. Although North Korea faces sanctions and isolation, Kim Il-sungism is still seen as a weapon against outside influence. In this context, Kim Il Sungism was closely integrated with North Korean nationalism to form a unique national perspective.
This kind of thinking not only guides domestic policies, but also attempts to show North Korea's uniqueness to the world and shape its self-image.
Future challenges and thoughts
With the changes in the world situation and the adjustment of North Korea's internal structure, the continuation of Kim Il Sungism will face challenges. However, whether the North Korean authorities can flexibly respond to these challenges and make changes within the framework of old concepts will be an issue that requires continued attention in the future.
So, can Kim Il Sungism continue to adapt to North Korea’s future development and become a stable political cornerstone?
