Introduction: An independent kingdom for much of its long history, Korea was occupied by Japan beginning in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese War. Five years later, Japan formally annexed the entire peninsula. Following World War II, Korea was split with the northern half coming under Soviet-sponsored Communist control. After failing in the Korean War (1950-53) to conquer the US-backed Republic of Korea (ROK) in the southern portion by force, North Korea (DPRK), under its founder President KIM Il Sung, adopted a policy of ostensible diplomatic and economic "self-reliance" as a check against outside influence. The DPRK demonized the US as the ultimate...

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Political Overview: The DPRK has a centralised government, strictly controlled by the communist Korean Workers' Party (KWP), to which all government officials belong.  The government operates under the national guiding principles of juche "self-reliance", and songun "military first".

Important positions in the government, economy and the military are held by party members or officials, and KWP Secretaries generally exercise greater authority over policy and administrative issues than government Ministers.  Although open to mass membership, access to the Party is denied to those without a 'reliable' class background. Official party ...

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