Assignment from Introduction to Politics class, October 2009
Theme : Choose a form of governmental system and explain an example of that!
Theocracy
(the belief in government by divine guidance)
North Korea. Right now led by Kim Jong-il, the late son of Kim Il-sung. The official name is said to be Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), though the practice of theocracy is overt and has lasted for a long time, even until now. The North Korean government possess approximately 450.000 ‘Revolutionary Research Center’ where the attendees are taught a certain doctrine about how Kim Jong-Il owns a supreme supernatural power, and had a miraculous birth atop a legendary Korean mountain, while the said leader was actually born in the former Soviet Union.
The practice of theocracy covers many field in North Korea’s governance. A journalist who went to North Korea on 1979 stated that he saw that nearly all music, art, and sculpture glorified “Great Leader” Kim Il-sung, whose personality cult was then being extended to his son, “Dear Leader” Kim Jong-il. The song ‘No Motherland Without You’, sung by the North Korean Army Choir, was created especially for Kim Jong-Il and is one of the most popular tunes in the country. His birthday is one of the most important public holidays in the country. On his 60th birthday (based on his official date of birth), mass celebrations occurred throughout the country. But Kim Il-sung is still officially referred as the nation’s “Eternal President”. Several landmarks in North Korea are named for Kim Il-sung, including Kim Il-sung University, Kim Il-sung Stadium, and Kim Il-sung Square. The excessive esteem to both leaders are said to be deifying by the defectors.
Yet Kim Jong-Il’s personality cult, although significant, is not as extensive as his father’s. In 2004, some of his official portraits were taken down from public buildings. One point of view states that Kim Jong Il’s cult of personality is solely out of respect for Kim Il-sung or out of fear of punishment for failure to pay homage. Media and government sources from outside of North Korea generally support this view, while North Korean government sources say that it is genuine hero worship.
The government also performs a tight control over media, both in and out of North Korea. They also use the information provider as one of the tools of indoctrination to the citizens. There is no private media, and those which are given permission to run are the ones that publish good words about the current leader. The media also upholds Kim Jong-Il’s personality cult, regularly reporting his daily activities.
