This research comprehensively examines changes and continuity of North Korea, from the 1945 Liberation Day of Korea to the present time, in the areas of national strategy, the relations between the party and state and military, economy, perception and ...
This research comprehensively examines changes and continuity of North Korea, from the 1945 Liberation Day of Korea to the present time, in the areas of national strategy, the relations between the party and state and military, economy, perception and understanding of ideology and history, foreign relations, auxiliary organs of the party, society and culture, and so on. There has been no change in the absolute position and leading role of the Korean Workers' Party (KWP) over the state/government and military as well as society. The military indicated in the military-first politics does not fully replace party's leading role, and under the leadership of the party, functions of the cabinet are strengthened. North Korea has shown partial changes in the areas that neededto adapt to changes in the domestic and international environment.
First of all, North Korea changed its national strategy from being militaristic and active strategy to pragmatist and defensive strategy. Revolutionary strategy of the Kim Jong Il era has a tendency to both militarism and pragmatism, and specific contents of North Korea's policy towards South Korea have been modified due to changes in unification strategy and method. Moreover, economic strategy goes through from partial to qualitative changes, and significant changes can be seen in the legislative strategy where many laws are being established. On the other hand, security strategy of North Korea has maintained its defensive attitude, and no qualitative changes are made to cultural strategy.
Second, with regard to the changing powers of the party, state, military organizations, while the party's leading role has been maintained, economic and social role of the military has expanded and the capacity of the cabinet and local governments have increased. In particular, there are conflicts among economy-related organs, namely (1) in terms of business with the South, between the Asia-Pacific Peace Committee and the United-Front Department of the KWP, and (2) in terms of opening economy, between the Committee for the Promotion of External Economic Cooperation and the Committee for the Promotion of International Trade.
Beyond its traditional role of maintaining the regime, the military of the Kim Jung Il era has expanded its involvement in building economy, supporting the party and its people, and showing a role model for the society. Moreover, in the area of economy, party's interventions are being reduced and cabinet's role and responsibilities are being strengthened. In the process of minimizing financial burden of the central government, local governments are pursuing district-focused self-reliant economy and conflicts among party cadres and administrative officials in local and production site have been witnessed.
Third, pragmatist tendency has been strengthened in the perception and understanding ideology and history. In order to maintain and develop its system, North Korean society has educated its citizens as a way of socialization. However, international and domestic changes since the late 1980s have transformed the existing perceptions and regulations.
While there has been no change in the perception of openness/closedness to the outside world in that "interdependence"is more appreciated than "independence"according to official documents. But changes can be seen in that the subject of "independence" is the regime, not the system, and North Korea is trying to spread "interdependence" in all directions.
Changes in perceptions are well observed through everyday life of North Koreans. While two different tendencies (one based on socialism and collectivism and the other based on pragmatism and market-orientedness) of its people co-exist or collide with each other, more people are becoming perfunctory adapters of the system.