Some questions on the DPRK and its "Juche Doctrine"

by Reddstarrx

I know a lot about the DPRK and South Korea, but I've always never understood the "Juche Doctrine" From what I've read, it works best in the North because of the history it has on the Korean people. What exactly is it? Why is it so powerful?

[deleted]

Juche means "self- determination" when translated literally. But, it's actual definition is closer to "self-reliance" the idea is that North Korea as a small state surrounded by larger, imperialistic states it must rely only on its self and assert it's independence. It has four core tenants

  1. man is the master of his fate
  2. the master of the revolution is the people
  3. the revolution must be pursued in a self-reliant manner
  4. the key to revolution is loyalty to the supreme leader Kim il sung.

It's communist in nature because of its rhetoric against capitalists and imperialists, but it is different. The Juche ideology was extremely nationalistic an preached that Koreans are a unique, superior race that must fend for themselves. It's so effective because of the propaganda and the personality cult that surrounds the Kim Family.

Source:

The impossible state by victor cha

Nelson_Mac

I would recommend B R Myers's book "The Cleanest Race." In it he explains that there's no real content to Juche. It's just a device for propaganda to keep the Kim dynasty in place.