Could anyone explain why the Kim family has been in power for so long? I am supportive of the DPRK and I like Juche, but I never knew the reason for this. Why them and nobody else? Is it cuz of their historical significance in the struggle, which may have led to them being so involved in the state?
This comes out of occupied Korea, but I think infographs like it are useful in understanding some of the power dynamics in the DPRK. As well as highlighting the fact that Kim Jong-un did not inherit his current position merely through blood, but through work.
I think the issue that tends to confuse people is that Kims (Jong Un and his forebears) are the “public face” of DPRK. They were in all photo shoots and art and whatnot
Yeah for sure, stems from aforementioned personality “cult”, but all nations practice a civil religion to some extent. Putin is the face of Russia regardless of actual position held, same with Xi for China, Modi for India, etc. etc. Willful mistranslation on the parts of western “academics” further complicates matters, with leader of the Supreme People’s Assembly (simple political title) becoming “Supreme Leader” (scary!). Kim Il-sung being referred to as “Eternal President” also calls to mind the Imperium of Man worshipping a God-Emperor’s skeleton on a floating throne, as long as you don’t tell people that he’s referred to as such because the position he held was abolished post-mortem and he was its last holder, “President of the DPRK”. He is literally the eternal president as he was the first and last president of the DPRK. Bit less biting as a fearmongering statement when viewed through that lens, but nuance is lost in the eyes of the orientalist.
Didn’t know a lot of this myself, I’ve learned to just not trust anything I grew up being taught but it’s still great to see it exposed plainly for the lies they are with simple facts, thanks for sharing.