Juche
|
The '''Juche Idea''' (pronounced // in Korean, approximately "joo-cheh") is the basic governing idea of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and colloquially the political system based on that principle. The essence of Juche is the belief that the people, collectively, must be the subject and masters of social revolution. Juche is often translated (although not by North Korea itself) as "self-reliance".
Practical application
According to North Korea's leader Kim Jong-il, the application of Juche to policy produces the following principles:
The people must have independence (''Chajusong'') in thought and politics, economic self-sufficiency, and self-reliance in defense
Policy must reflect the will and aspirations of the masses and employ them fully in revolution and construction
Methods of revolution and construction must be suitable to the situation of the country.
The most important work of revolution and construction is molding people ideologically as communists and mobilizing them to constructive action.
The Juche outlook requires loyalty to the revolutionary party and revolutionary leader. In North Korea these are the Korean Workers Party and Kim Jong-il.
The Juche-influenced Chollima Movement of the 1960s (later known as ''Taean'') describes the rapid development of the North Korean economy and growth to strengthen its independence from other nations.
Relation to socialism
The goal of revolution and construction under Juche is the establishment of socialism and communism. The North Korean government admits that Juche addresses questions previously considered in Marxism, but claims that it is a completely new ideology created by Kim Il-sung and does not depend on Marxism. In 1977 Juche replaced Marxism-Leninism in the country's constitution. Commentators outside North Korea often equate Juche with Stalinism and call North Korea's government Stalinist, but the government does not admit any connection between Juche and the ideas of Stalin.
Juche in other countries
During the Cold War North Korea promoted Juche as a guide for other countries, particularly third world countries, to build socialism. Romanian president Nicolae Ceauşescu became especially interested in Juche after a visit to North Korea and sought to base his program of Systematization on it. North Korea no longer promotes Juche in this manner and now teaches that Juche is only for Koreans.
Juche study groups exist throughout the world. Members of these groups learn Juche and commemorate its discovery from time to time, but they are not involved in developing the idea further. The published work of Kim Il-sung is the final and complete expression of Juche, and Kim Jong-il is the ultimate interpreter of that work.
Juche calendar
The North Korean government and associated organisations use a variant of the Gregorian calendar with a "Juche" year based on 1912 A.D., the birthdate of Kim Il-sung, as year 1. Coincidentally, the year numbering is the same as that for the Republic_of_China#Calendrical_system|"Minguo" year numbering used in the Republic of China (Taiwan). Months are unchanged from those in the standard Gregorian calendar. There was no Juche Year zero. In many instances the Juche year is given after the A.D. year, for example ''27 June 2005 Juche 94''. In Korean texts, the Juche year is usually put in front of the corresponding A.D. year instead.
See also
List of Korea-related topics
Political religion
Reference
Kim Jong-il: http://www1.korea-np.co.jp/pk/062nd_issue/98092410.htm#4.%20THE%20GUIDING%20PRINCIPLES%20OF%20THE%20JUCHE%20IDEAColin Mackerras: "The ''Juche'' idea and the thougth of Kim Il Sung." In: Colin Mackerras, Nick Knight: ''Marxism in Asia'' (London, Croom Helm 1985; ISBN 0312518528), pp. 151-175.
External links
http://www.cnet-ta.ne.jp/juche/defaulte.htmhttp://www.korea-dpr.com/users/jisgehttp://www.geocities.com/songunpoliticsstudygroup/http://www.youngjuche.orghttp://yjl.proboards58.comhttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/dprk/suryong.htm
|