This study focuses on the prospect of the North Korea's transition in relation to the private sphere's manifest and latent influence upon the current political system. The first subtheme reviews the politico-economic implications of the shifting balan ...
This study focuses on the prospect of the North Korea's transition in relation to the private sphere's manifest and latent influence upon the current political system. The first subtheme reviews the politico-economic implications of the shifting balance between the public and the private in the socialist system, with comparative reference to NK's situation
The second subtheme deals with the economic stratification system which emerges in the private sphere owing to the increasing marketization of the private sector. Focusing on the reorientation of the ordinary people's collective identity, this study explores the conscipicuous pro-market consciousness and activities among the people for securing the household's subsistence economy or seeking private profits in the everyday life.
However, the market-oriented collective identity has not assumed the determinant role in faciliating the NK's market transition until now, for paradoxically the ordinary people has not freed themselves from the state-centered paternalism and self-censorship on their private economic activities.
The third subtheme studies on the people's desire in the private sphere. This article classifies three type which may be categorized in terms of the private ambition-motivated modes. Firstly, with respect to politically oriented motivations, people tend to compromise, using political power to satisfy their personal desires. Secondly, regarding the expert skill-oriented type, people strongly express a desire to elevate their social status by utilizing their special skills. Lastly, regarding the finance-oriented type, people show a strong desire for money, considering it as something more essential than anything else in their life.
These types are prevalent in the society. In occasion, it seems that these phenomea are the symptoms of the fragile state's dominance. However, in fact these private ambitions linked with the corruption practice functions to maintain the state's rule on the private sphere.
Lastly, the implication of the private discourse which are in the process of formation at present. Public discourse, as a ruling discourse, still exists, however its social influence is diminished compared with the past and it is separated from daily life. Particularly the expansion of market, is called Jangmadang, leads to condition of space and social relationship which makes diverse forms of private discourse possible. Moreover, formation of new discourse is based on new information from the process of contact of the outside world like China and South Korea, diffusion of new communication media, and extension of social transfer.
However, it is clear that private discourse which is formed now is different from public discourse in contents, but it is not easy to regard as itself would develop into counter discourse, because established control system operates as usual, above all, vested right group is connected with new-formed social relation network.