| Chapter 1: | The Culture and Ideology of the DPRK |
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sanctifies the hereditary succession of power. Thus, it was no coincidence that Kim Jong Il was officially designated the heir apparent at the same party convention in 1980. It is intriguing to note that the young Kim’s ascension to power was initially promoted on the premise of his qualifications and ability rather than on grounds of the family tie. In fact, one scholar at Kim Il Sung University unequivocally told me in summer 1981 that the legitimation of Kim Jong Il’s leadership would have been easier if he had not been Kim Il Sung’s son; he explained that the junior’s ability and achievements tended to be discredited because of his relationship to the Great Leader. However, as the process of building his charisma advanced more quickly, the young Kim benefited from the family relationship. Just as the father had gained charisma as the paternal leader, the son was naturally expected to display the charisma of the family. At Mankyongdae, the birthplace of Kim Il Sung, a family museum was erected in the early 1980s in which the Kim clan is heralded as the center of the independence movement. The historical documentation ends with the young Kim having demonstrated unusual leadership qualities and unparalleled patriotism.
Given that during this period the North Korean leadership needed the effective political orientation of the masses, it was desirable for the system to keep the people shielded from the external world, especially South Korea and the West. This ensured that the country’s economy was even further isolated from the world market, necessitating a self-reliant economy contained within the system.
Juche as Weltanschauung (Late 1980s to 1990s)
Unlike the earlier stages of ideological evolution, juche soon evolved into a legitimate Weltanschauung with a philosophical structure. As discussed earlier, the articulation of the structure of human nature and the theory of political-social life are relatively recent developments. This is not to suggest that juche represents a unique and complete worldview but that it is a worldview nonetheless with some coherent structure as opposed to a mere political slogan.