From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Politics of North Korea
Politics of North Korea
North Korea The politics of North Korea take place within a nominally
democratic multi-party system within the framework of
the official state philosophy, Juche, a concept created
by the founder of the North Korean state, Kim Il-sung,
and his son and successor as leader, Kim Jong-il. In prac-
tice, North Korea functions as a single-party state. It is
widely considered to be a de facto totalitarian dictator-
ship[1] and the Economist Intelligence Unit, while ad-
mitting that "there is no consensus on how to measure
democracy" and that "definitions of democracy are con-
This article is part of the series: tested", lists North Korea in last place as the most author-
Politics and government of itarian regime in its index of democracy assessing 167
North Korea countries.[2]
North Korea’s political system is built upon the prin-
• Constitution ciple of centralization. While the constitution guarantees
• Juche the protection of human rights, in practice there are se-
• Eternal President vere limits on freedom of expression, and the govern-
• Kim Il-sung ment supervises the lives of the people closely. The con-
• Supreme Leader stitution defines North Korea as "a dictatorship of the
• Kim Jong-il people’s democracy" under the leadership of the Work-
• Supreme People’s Assembly ers’ Party of Korea, which is de facto the only legally per-
• Chairman of the Presidium mitted party. Despite the constitution’s provisions for
• Kim Yong-nam democracy, in practice Kim Jong-il exercises absolute
• National Defence Commission control over the government and the country.
• Chairman The ruling party, the WPK, is thought to allow some
• Kim Jong-il slight inner-party democracy (see Democratic central-
• First Vice Chairman ism). The WPK has ruled since North Korea’s indepen-
• vacant dence in 1948. Two minor political parties exist but are
• Government legally bound to accept the ruling role of the WPK.[3]
• Premier Elections occur only in single-candidate races where the
• Choe Yong-rim candidate has been selected by the WPK beforehand. Kim
• Subdivisions Il-sung served as General Secretary of the WPK from 1948
• Judiciary until his death in July 1994, simultaneously holding the
• Political parties office of Prime Minister from 1948 to 1972 and the office
• Workers’ Party of Korea of President from 1972 to 1994. After his son won full
• Central Committee power in 1998, the presidential post was written out of
• General Secretary the constitution, and Kim Il-sung was designated the
• Kim Jong-il country’s "Eternal President". Most analysts believe the
• Democratic Front for the title to be a product of the cult of personality he cultivat-
Reunification of the Fatherland ed during his life.
• Korean Social Democratic The Western world generally views North Korea as
Party the world’s last old-style Stalinist dictatorship, but the
• Chondoist Chongu Party government has formally replaced references to
• Elections: 2003, 2009 Marxism-Leninism in its constitution with the locally de-
• Korean reunification veloped concept of Juche, or self-reliance. In recent years,
• Human rights there has been great emphasis on the Songun or
• Foreign relations "military-first" philosophy. The constitution of North
• Songun policy Korea declares that "the Democratic People’s Republic of
Other countries · Atlas Korea shall, by carrying out a thorough cultural revolu-
Politics portal tion, train all the people to be builders of socialism and
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Politics of North Korea
communism".[3] It has since then removed all references president of the Supreme People’s Assembly is Kim Yong
to Communism in its revised 2009 constitution.[4] Nam. Nearly all outside sources regard the SPA as a rub-
The status of the military has been enhanced and it berstamp body, due to the short period of its sessions,
appears to occupy the centre of the North Korean po- uncontested elections to office, and the fact that it passes
litical system; all the social sectors are forced to follow all proposals submitted by the government over a period
the military spirit and adopt military methods. Kim Jong- of a few days.[1]
il’s public activity focuses heavily on on-the-spot guidan- In theory, North Korea’s judiciary is accountable to
ce of places and events related to the military. The en- the SPA and the Presidium.[3] The SPA’s standing com-
hanced status of the military and military-centred polit- mittee also appoints judges to the highest court for
ical system was confirmed at the first session of the 10th 5-year terms that are concurrent with those of the
Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) by the promotion of Assembly.
National Defense Commission (NDC) members in the offi-
cial power hierarchy. All ten NDC members were ranked Legal system
within the top twenty on September 5, and all but one oc- North Korea’s judiciary is headed by the Central Court,
cupied the top twenty at the fiftieth anniversary of Na- which consists of a Chief Justice and two People’s Asses-
tional Foundation Day on September 9. sors; three judges may be present in some cases. Their
terms of office coincide with those of the members of the
Government Supreme People’s Assembly. Every court in North Korea
has the same composition as the Central Court. The judi-
Main article: Government of North Korea cial system is theoretically held accountable to the SPA
See also: Constitution of North Korea and the Presidium of the SPA when the legislature is not
The Cabinet of North Korea consists of the Premiers, Vice in session.
Premiers, and Ministers of the government. Their terms The judiciary does not practice judicial review. The
of office are concurrent with the Supreme People’s security forces so often interfere with the actions of the
Assembly. The Premier is the head of the cabinet. The judiciary that the conclusion of most cases is foregone;
cabinet exercises theoretical control over the executive experts outside North Korea and numerous defectors
ministries and has the authority to issue decrees con- confirm this to be a widespread problem.[7] Freedom
cerning administration of the government, although in House states that, "North Korea does not have an inde-
reality the government also takes its directions from Kim pendent judiciary and does not acknowledge individual
Jong-il. The current cabinet consists of: rights...reports of arbitrary detentions, ’disappearances,’
• Premier: Choe Yong-rim[5] and extrajudicial killings are common; torture is wide-
• Foreign Minister: Pak Ui-chun spread and severe"[1]
• Vice Foreign Minister: Kim Kye Gwan North Korea’s fifth and current constitution was ap-
• Vice Foreign Minister: Choe Su-hon proved and adopted in September 1998, replacing the
• Minister of State Construction Control: Pae Tal-jun one previously adopted in 1972. The former constitution
• President of the Central Bank of the Democratic had last been amended in 1992. Under the constitution,
People’s Republic of Korea: Kim Wan Su North Korea has an unusual legal system based upon Ger-
• Minister of Public Security: Kwak Pum Ji man civil law and influenced by Japanese legal theory.[ci-
• Deputy Director: Paek Hak-rim tation needed] Criminal penalties can be stiff; one of the ba-
• Minister of People’s Armed Forces: Vice Marshal Kim sic functions of the system is to uphold the power of
Il-Chol[6] the regime. Because so little information is available con-
cerning what actually occurs inside of the country, the
Parliament extent to which there is any rule of law is uncertain. In
According to the constitution, the legislative Supreme any case, North Korea is renowned for its poor human
People’s Assembly (SPA) is the highest organ of state rights situation and regularly detains thousands of dissi-
power. It consists of 687 members, who are elected every dents without trial or benefit of legal advice. According
five years. The Assembly usually holds only two meetings to a US Department of State report on human rights prac-
annually, each lasting a few days; this is the shortest tices, the government of North Korea often punishes the
meeting time of any parliament. A standing committee family of a criminal along with the perpetrator. [7]
known as the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assem-
bly and elected by the Assembly performs legislative
functions when the Assembly is not in session.
National Defence Commission
The Assembly officially chooses between, compro- Main article: National Defence Commission of North
mises upon, and ratifies the political positions on sub- Korea
jects put forward by the three represented parties. The
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Politics of North Korea
According to the Constitution of North Korea (?????????? power took place within the structure of the party. More-
? ???? ??) Article 100, "the National Defence Commission over, most of his strong supporters are in the party and
is the highest military leadership body of State power." the party at large is his most loyal supporter.
According to Article 102, "the Chairman of the National Third, North Korea’s hesitation to implement a policy
Defence Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic aimed at integration into the international community
of Korea commands and directs all the armed forces and makes one expect that the status of the party vis-à-vis
guides national defence as a whole."[3] The position of that of the government will be strengthened. Although
Chairman of the National Defence Commission has been North Korea is very concerned with the opening policy,
declared the "highest office of state" and has the "highest its economic policy is dictated by political considera-
administrative authority" according to decrees issued by tions. North Korea’s opening policy is implemented in a
the Supreme People’s Assembly. very limited way because of the fear of the side effects
Few people correctly anticipated that Kim Jong Il opening may bring. Thus the role of government tech-
would officially terminate the transitional period by re- nocrats is clearly limited, and it is not feasible to see the
suming the chairmanship of the National Defense Com- government outside the control of the party. Although
mission (NDC) and abolishing the post of president. Un- the government gained in status under the new consti-
der the 1998 constitution, the NDC’s role and status was tution, this does not affect the guiding role of the party
strengthened. The 1998 constitution defines the NDC as over the government. Particularly in the area of organi-
"the highest guiding organ of the military and the man- zation and ideology, party guidance may be firmer.
aging organ of military matters." The chairman of the
NDC controls the armed forces.
In a speech endorsing Kim Jong Il as NDC chairman,
Party-Military relations
Kim Yong Nam made it clear that chairman of the NDC is The party has controlled the military in North Korea
the highest position in the country, in charge of all mat- since the Korean War, when North Korea began to dis-
ters regarding the country’s politics, economy, and mil- patch political officials to the military. In October 1950,
itary. Thus Kim Jong Il is in substance head of the state, party committees began to be organized within the mili-
but theoretically the chairman of the SPA Presidium rep- tary. The party organs within the military were strength-
resents the state and is responsible for foreign affairs, ened after two incidents in 1956 and 1969 that resulted in
such as reception. a wide-scale purge of factions opposed to Kim Il Sung.
In June 2010, Kim appointed his brother-in-law, According to the Party Act (article 46) adopted in
Chang Sung-taek, as vice-chairman of the NDC, in a move 1980, "KPA is the revolutionary armed forces of the
seen as propping his own position. Chang was already KWP." Some believe, however, that the military-centred
regarded as the second-most powerful person in North political system of recent years may be damaging the
Korea and his appointment strengthens the probability party’s control over the military. Kim Jong Il has treated
that Kim’s third son, Kim Jong-un, will succeed him.[8] the military better than ever by frequently visiting
events and places associated with it and by promoting
military officials in the official power hierarchy.
Party-Government relations
The relationship between the party organ and the admin-
istrative organ is often compared to the relationship be-
Political parties and elections
tween the man who steers the boat and the man who See also: Elections in North Korea
rows the boat. Party workers in the back should steer so According to the constitution, North Korea is a Democ-
that administrative and economic workers can stay on ratic Republic and the Supreme People’s Assembly and
the party track. Article 11 of the new constitution repeats provincial People’s Assemblies are elected by direct uni-
that "the DPRK shall conduct all activities under the lead- versal suffrage and secret ballot. Suffrage is guaranteed
ership of the KWP." Although relations between the par- to all citizens aged 17 and over.[3] In reality, elections in
ty and the government have experienced both continuity North Korea are non-competitive and have only single
and change, the party has maintained a guiding role over candidate races. Those who want to vote against the sole
the government. In the near future, continuity rather candidate on the ballot must go to a special booth to
than change in party-government relations is more likely cross out the candidate’s name before dropping it into
to be the case. the ballot box—an act which, according to many North
First, North Korean leaders attribute the demise of Korean defectors, is far too risky to even contemplate.[9]
the socialist bloc in Eastern Europe to the failure of ide- All elected candidates are members of the Democratic
ology. Thus, they emphasize the importance of ideology, Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland, a popular
which is led by the party. They also focus on the signifi- front dominated by the WPK. The two minor parties in
cance of popular support of the party. Second, Kim Jong the coalition are the Chondoist Chongu Party and the
Il started his career as a party cadre and his succession to Korean Social Democratic Party; they also have a few
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Politics of North Korea
elected officials. The WPK exercises direct control over and the military resist any changes that might threaten
the candidates selected for election by members of the stability.[citation needed]
other two parties.[1] Although there exist occasional reports of opposition
Summary of the 8 March 2009 North Korea Supreme to the government, these appear to be isolated, and there
People’s Assembly election results is no evidence of major internal threats to the current
List Seats regime. Some foreign analysts have pointed to wide-
spread starvation, increased emigration through China,
Democratic Front for the Reunification of the 687
and new sources of information about the outside world
Fatherland 606
for ordinary North Koreans as factors pointing to an im-
• Workers’ Party of Korea (Chŏson Rodong- 50
minent collapse of the regime, but North Korea has re-
dang) 22
mained stable in spite of more than a decade of such pre-
• Korean Social Democratic Party (Chŏson 6
dictions. The Workers’ Party of Korea maintains a mo-
Sahoeminju-dang) 3
nopoly on political power and Kim Jong-il has remained
• Cheondoist Chongu Party (Ch’ŏndogyo
the leader of the country ever since he first gained power
Ch’ŏng’u-dang)
following the death of his father.
• General Association of Korean Residents in
Japan (Ch’ongryŏn)
• independents State leaders
Total (turnout 99.98%) 687 Eternal President: Kim Il-sung
Source:[10][11] National Defence Commission of DPRK
Chairman: Kim Jong-il
Vice Chairman: Jo Myong Rok (first vice-chairman),
Political developments Kim Yong Chun, Ri Yong Mu, O Kuk Ryol (from April
2009), Jang Song Thaek (from June 2010), Kim Jong Un
For much of its history, North Korean politics have been
(from February 2011)
dominated by its adversarial relationship with South
Members: Jon Pyong Ho, Kim Il Chol, Paek Se Bong, Ju
Korea. During the Cold War, North Korea aligned with
Sang Song, U Tong Chuk, Ju Kyu Chang and Kim Jong Gak
the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China. The
Presidium of the SPA of the DPRK
North Korean government invested heavily in its mili-
President: Kim Yong Nam
tary, hoping to develop the capability to reunify Korea by
Vice presidents: Yang Hyong Sop and Kim Yong Dae
force if possible and also preparing to repel any attack
Honorary vice-president: Kim Yong Ju
by traditional enemies South Korea, Japan, or the United
Secretary general of the Presidium: Pyon Yong Rip
States. As relations with the PRC and the Soviet Union
(from April 2010)
loosened towards the end of the Cold War, North Korea
Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA)
developed an ideology, Juche, based upon a high degree
Chairman: Choe Thae Bok
of economic independence and the mobilization of all the
Vice-chairpersons: Kim Wan Su and Hong Son Ok
resources of the nation to defend against foreign powers
Cabinet
seen as a threat to the country’s sovereignty.
Premier: Choe Yong Rim
In the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union and
Vice Premiers: Ro Tu Chol (from April 2009), Pak Su
Soviet-supplied economic aid, North Korea has faced a
Gil (from September 2009), and Kang Nung Su, Kim Rak
long period of economic crisis, including severe agricul-
Hui, Ri Thae Nam, Jon Ha Chol, Jo Pyong Ju, Han Kwang
tural and industrial shortages. North Korea’s main polit-
Bok (from June 2010) , Kang Sok Ju (from September
ical issue has been to find a way to sustain its economy
2010)
without compromising the internal stability of its gov-
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Pak Ui Chun
ernment or its ability to respond to perceived external
Minister of People’s Security: Ju Sang Song
threats. To date, North Korean efforts to improve rela-
Minister of People’s Armed Forces: Kim Yong Chun
tions with South Korea to increase trade and to receive
WPK Central Committee
development assistance have been mildly successful, but
General Secretary: Kim Jong Il
North Korea’s determination to develop nuclear weapons
Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Workers’ Par-
and ballistic missiles has prevented relations with Japan
ty of Korea Central Committee (since September 2010):
or the United States from improving. North Korea has al-
1.Kim Jong Il,
so experimented with market economics in some sectors
2.Kim Yong Nam,
of its economy, but these have had limited impact. Some
3.Choe Yong Rim,
outside observers have suggested that Kim Jong-il him-
4.Jo Myong Rok,
self favors such reforms but that some parts of the party
5. Ri Yong Ho
4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Politics of North Korea
Members and Alternate Members of Political Bureau: Constitution_of_North_Korea. Retrieved
Kim Jong Il, Kim Yong Nam, Choe Yong Rim, Jo Myong 2007-02-22.
Rok, Ri Yong Ho, Kim Yong Chun, Jon Pyong Ho, Kim [4] Herskovitz, Jon (2009-09-28). "North Korea drops
Kuk Thae, Kim Ki Nam, Choe Thae Bok, Yang Hyong Sop, communism, boosts "Dear Leader"". Reuters.
Kang Sok Ju, Pyon Yong Rip, Ri Yong Mu, Ju Sang Song, http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/
Hong Sok Hyong and Kim Kyong Hui (members), Kim idUSSEO253213.
Yang Gon, Kim Yong Il, Pak To Chun, Choe Ryong Hae, [5] "North Korea in leadership reshuffle". BBC News.
Jang Song Thaek, Ju Kyu Chang, Ri Thae Nam, Kim Rak 2010-06-07. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/
Hui, Thae Jong Su, Kim Phyong Hae, U Tong Chuk, Kim asia_pacific/10252477.stm. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
Jong Gak, Pak Jong Sun, Kim Chang Sop and Mun Kyong [6] Dae-woong, Jin (2007-10-04). "Who’s who in North
Dok (alternate members) Korea’s power elite". The Korea Herald.
Secretariat of WPK Central Committee: Kim Jong Il http://www.koreaherald.co.kr:8080/servlet/
(general secretary), Kim Ki Nam, Choe Thae Bok, Choe cms.article.view?tpl=print&sname=National&img=/
Ryong Hae, Mun Kyong Dok, Pak To Chun, Kim Yong Il, img/pic/ico_nat_pic.gif&id=200710040041.
Kim Yang Gon, Kim Phyong Hae, Thae Jong Su and Hong Retrieved 2007-10-05.
Sok Hyong [7] ^ "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices".
Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of U.S. Department of State. March 8, 2006.
Korea: Chairman Kim Jong Il, Vice-Chairmen Kim Jong http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/
Un (member of central committee of WPK since Septem- 61612.htm. Retrieved 2006-02-22.
ber 2010), and Ri Yong Ho and Members Kim Yong Chun, [8] Fading Kim sets the stage for power play, Donald
Kim Jong Gak, Kim Myong Guk, Kim Kyong Ok, Kim Won Kirk, SCMP, 11 June 2010
Hong, Jong Myong Do, Ri Pyong Chol, Choe Pu Il, Kim [9] "North Korea votes for new rubber-stamp
Yong Chol, Yun Jong Rin, Ju Kyu Chang, Choe Sang Ryo, parliament," Associated Press, March 8, 2009.
Choe Kyong Song, U Tong Chuk, Choe Ryong Hae and [10] Moon, Angela; Sugita Katyal, Ralph Boulton
Jang Song Thaek (2009-03-08). "N.Korea vote may point to Kim
successor". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/
See also article/worldNews/idUSTRE5270FE20090308.
Retrieved 2009-03-08.
• North Korea [11] "IPU PARLINE Database: Choe Go In Min Hoe Ui".
• List of Korea-related topics Inter-Parliamentary Union. http://www.ipu.org/
parline/reports/2085_E.htm.
References
[1] ^ "Freedom in the World, 2006". Freedom House. External links
http://freedomhouse.org/ • [1]
template.cfm?page=22&year=2006&country=6993. • Freedom House Country Report on North Korea
Retrieved 2007-02-13. • The North Korean Human Rights Act: Documents
[2] "Economist Intelligence Unit democracy index and Background Materials
2006" (PDF). Economist Intelligence Unit. 2007. • The North Korean International Documentation
http://www.economist.com/media/pdf/ Project
DEMOCRACY_TABLE_2007_v3.pdf. Retrieved • North Korea Uncovered, a comprehensive mapping
2007-10-09. on Google Earth of the DPRK’s political and economic
[3] ^ "Constitution of North Korea". Wikisource. infrastructure
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_North_Korea&oldid=463642466"
Categories:
• Politics of North Korea
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