I'll add more to this tonight but suffice to say that
The reason why NK isn't strong right now, according to their beliefs, is because not everyone is thinking in the juche mode. If they were all self-reliant, all thinking in the juche mode, NK -would- be strong. NK would be self-reliant. NK would be the true repository of the world's boons NOT China.
The famine that occurred in NK was considered to have happened because people weren't living the juche enough (as a side note, the reason why it lasted so long was, according to many, because Kim Il Song intentionally let it go on for a good while).
This belief has lasted them through the Korean War. With the older generation dying, the new generation is indoctrinated in this from childhood. If you teach philosophy in Korea? It better be related to Juche. If you were to teach Hegel, you had better explain how it illustrates juche thinking, juche actions and so forth. It is literally everywhere and internalized.
Now it's true that -in the future- as NK opens up (-if- it ever does) and they get exposed to ideas other than juche, I think it is possible for them to think otherwise. But now? When you have to have an extremely high security clearance just to access the internet and talk to foreigners? No. They believe that Kim Jong Il can wave his hand and make rainbows. They believe that Kim Jong Il is a genius who writes hundreds of plays, books, and so forth. They believe that Kim Jong Il will lead them out of the darkness and into future glory.
Quote:is a simplification. It's true that there are dissidents and those that hate the NK leadership -but- most people in the country side genuinely believe that Kim Il Song was a godlike figure. They believe it is their duty to purify the Korean race - SK are considered *tainted* - and to unify the peninsula. The NK are a -chosen people-.
As I said NK is likely to crumble if they do anything outward. The people are going to surrender if they get a chance for real food. It'll be a massive assault that peters out once the oppressed people get a chance at an out, that won't get them shot. The problem with NK is the leadership is insane.
The reason why NK isn't strong right now, according to their beliefs, is because not everyone is thinking in the juche mode. If they were all self-reliant, all thinking in the juche mode, NK -would- be strong. NK would be self-reliant. NK would be the true repository of the world's boons NOT China.
The famine that occurred in NK was considered to have happened because people weren't living the juche enough (as a side note, the reason why it lasted so long was, according to many, because Kim Il Song intentionally let it go on for a good while).
This belief has lasted them through the Korean War. With the older generation dying, the new generation is indoctrinated in this from childhood. If you teach philosophy in Korea? It better be related to Juche. If you were to teach Hegel, you had better explain how it illustrates juche thinking, juche actions and so forth. It is literally everywhere and internalized.
Now it's true that -in the future- as NK opens up (-if- it ever does) and they get exposed to ideas other than juche, I think it is possible for them to think otherwise. But now? When you have to have an extremely high security clearance just to access the internet and talk to foreigners? No. They believe that Kim Jong Il can wave his hand and make rainbows. They believe that Kim Jong Il is a genius who writes hundreds of plays, books, and so forth. They believe that Kim Jong Il will lead them out of the darkness and into future glory.