Juche facts for kids

Juche (usually left untranslated or translated as "self-reliance") is the official state ideology of North Korea, described by the government as Kim Il-sung's original, brilliant and revolutionary contribution to national and international thought. It says that "man is the master of his destiny", that the North Korean masses are to act as the "masters of the revolution and construction" and that by becoming self-reliant and strong a nation can achieve true socialism.

Kim Il-sung (1912–1994) developed the ideology, originally viewed as a variant of Marxism–Leninism until it became distinctly Korean in character whilst still using the historical materialist ideas of Marxism–Leninism and strongly focusing on the individual, the nation state and its sovereignty. The practice of Juche is firmly rooted in the ideals of sustainability through agricultural independence and a lack of dependency.

The Juche ideology has been criticized by many for sustaining the totalitarian rule of the North Korean regime and justifying the country's heavy-handed isolationism and oppression of the North Korean people. It has also been described as a form of Korean ethnic nationalism, but one that promotes the Kim family as the saviours of the "Korean race" and acts as a foundation of the subsequent personality cult surrounding them.

The International Institute of the Juche Idea was established in Tokyo in 1978 to supervise international Juche research groups. The Juche Tower, completed in 1982, incorporated commemorative plaques from supporters and Juche Study Groups from around the world.

Images for kids

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  Visitors of the Mansu Hill Grand Monument in Pyongyang bow to massive bronze statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il.

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  Propaganda art promoting Songun. The Korean text reads, "Long live the great victory of Songun!"

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  Tribute plaques to Juche from foreign delegates, contained in the interior entrance of the Juche Tower

See also

In Spanish: Juche para niños