Presenter Information

Unbi Choi, Liberty UniversityFollow

Start Date

19-3-2025 1:05 PM

End Date

19-3-2025 1:55 PM

Level of Education

Undergraduate

Keywords

North Korea, the Juche Ideology, Communism, East Asia

Abstract

This paper analyzes the fallacies of North Korean political philosophy. The rise of the Juche ideology in North Korea can be attributed to Kim Il Sung's desire to maintain power and autonomy in the face of changing political influences from the Soviet Union and China. The Juche ideology in North Korea, founded by Kim Il Sung and developed by Kim Jong Il, emphasizes the absolute authority of the leader and uses the Songbun system to maintain power. The Songbun system classifies citizens based on loyalty and family background, resulting in poor intelligence levels among government officials and widespread corruption. The Juche ideology sets North Korea apart from other communist regimes and emphasizes nationalism and selfreliance. The philosophy of self-reliance in politics, economy, national defense, and ideology paralyzes people's ability to think and act independently, hindering the country's development. This thesis intends to help develop the U.S. policy on North Korean denuclearization. The Juche ideology is the essence of North Korean nuclearization. This paper studies the human nature of the Korean people in terms of Korean independence and Japanese colonialism and proves that the Juche ideology is inconsistent with human nature.

Share

COinS
 
Mar 19th, 1:05 PM Mar 19th, 1:55 PM

The Fallacies of North Korean Political Philosophy

This paper analyzes the fallacies of North Korean political philosophy. The rise of the Juche ideology in North Korea can be attributed to Kim Il Sung's desire to maintain power and autonomy in the face of changing political influences from the Soviet Union and China. The Juche ideology in North Korea, founded by Kim Il Sung and developed by Kim Jong Il, emphasizes the absolute authority of the leader and uses the Songbun system to maintain power. The Songbun system classifies citizens based on loyalty and family background, resulting in poor intelligence levels among government officials and widespread corruption. The Juche ideology sets North Korea apart from other communist regimes and emphasizes nationalism and selfreliance. The philosophy of self-reliance in politics, economy, national defense, and ideology paralyzes people's ability to think and act independently, hindering the country's development. This thesis intends to help develop the U.S. policy on North Korean denuclearization. The Juche ideology is the essence of North Korean nuclearization. This paper studies the human nature of the Korean people in terms of Korean independence and Japanese colonialism and proves that the Juche ideology is inconsistent with human nature.