Democratic People's Republic Of Korea

Democratic People's Republic of Korea. A country deemed so oppressed that it is often compared to George Orwell's 1984. So why do the people not rise up against the government and retake their country? What kind of oppression are theses citizens subject to? Lets quickly review two key misconceptions about the North Korean country, government and the people. First the most common attribute often linked to North Korea, communism, but the government's policy is known as Juche. Juche (while similar to communism and socialism, but really translates into “self reliance”) was first presented to the public in 1955 by Kim Il-sung. The purpose of this system was not well known until his speech in 1965, were he laid out the three main goals;political
However the Juche system relied too heavily on Soviet support for food and raw materials, that combined with several seasons of devastating flooding and drought set the country into a dangerous spiral into famine. Unable to support and feed their population, humanitarian aid was sent in. The country received staples such as; rice, corn, dry milk and medicine. Although these items were meant for the general populace, most ended up being given to the Army. During these harsh times (the government claims 1994-1998, although most can safely say it has never ended) terms that referred to the famine were banned. Any complaints or even mentioning the subject could be taken as treason. The estimated death toll from 1994-1998 is from three hundred thousand to four million. This led to a rather damaging on families, children dropped out of school due from the lack of funds, factory jobs that woman usually held stopped production due to the lack of materials. However, as we come to my second point, the majority of the people, neither revolted nor protested, even through famine, devastating amendments and chaos. The people are devoted to their government, worshiping the ruling family as
There are many different kinds of oppression, and while I think we can agree no one word can sum up any oppressed country, I found it even more difficult with this one. However three types of oppression really jumped out at me, oppression of free speech, oppression based on ethic background and oppression of religion. The most damming of these being the oppression of free speech, since the citizens of North Korea are constantly monitored by not only the government, but their neighbors and families too,they have little chance to talk freely among themselves, and how can people expand and work together if they don't talk? Oppression based on where you come from, what you worship or even what your gender is, is extraordinarily demeaning, but something you can change if you have free speech. I think that is why the government has kept a hold on their people for so long, by controlling what news they hear it effectively keeps them blind to the rest of society. Overall is there any hope for the North Korean people? I doubt it, until their government collapses or goes to war the people will still cower under the ruling family, and the government will continue to shield them from the rest of the