Session 1 (July 9) - 1945-1994: Kim Il Sung

[Julie Wakefield]

I agree, Heather, without the 'aid' and trade deals from China and the USSR (other countries today) North Korea would have had to dissolve years ago. The model of self-reliance was tried and failed in many countries. And while North Korea is keeping strong to the ideology of self-reliance, in the past 10 years it is clear that this is not happening. Today North Korea is absolutely reliant on other countries for 'aid' and trade in addition to what is brought in on the blackmarket.

[Hilda Dixon]

I think it is important to revisit what was the historical framework before the Korean War. The Soviet Union was exporting and educating Marxism ideas to all over the world including China. The Soviet Union was training and educating many Chinese. On the other hand, USA was taking an active role in the second World War after the Pearl Harbor Japanese attack. Korea was a colony of Japan who mainly used Korean people for cheap labor in the factories. Korean people were in constant movement through Korea and other parts such as Manchuria under the National General Mobilization Law.  Japan also tried to impose the naisen ittai policy which means Korean people needed to assimilate Japanese politics, spiritualism and become one with Japan while Japan exploited and was racist towards Korean people.  All of these historical ingredients played important roles that led Korea with no option but to rush into a new uncertain era.

How did Kim Il Sung establish a communist monarchy?  

First of all, Kim II Sung was for two decades a guerilla commander who spoke fluent Russian.  He was inspired by Mao’s, and Stalin’s ideals, yet he wanted to create a constitution where he could outline Korean Identity. He also was a charismatic man who throughout his life was in contact with the people from all parts of North Korea. He gained the respect and the trust of the simple people. He redistributed the land through the Land Reform Law and Nationalized the industry. With these actions social class conflicts lessened significantly or almost disappeared.  In 1956, he got rid of his opponents and equipped his government with people who were loyal to him such as former Manchurian guerrillas or family members. He implemented a massive constant doctrinal system. For instance, he mandated a system of portraits of himself in every house, entrance of a factory or railroad station. The government intertwined  in their education system a propaganda of ideas where everything that is good comes from the Kim’s family and everything bad comes from USA through the children’s books and even math problems, where American soldiers are referred to as the “bastards.” North Korean citizens are expected to pay a visit to a local statue of the Kim family and, after a respectful bow, leave flowers honoring the generalissimo which helps to continue to keep the history of government alive.  North Korean people have been kept from having any type of contact with the outside word, so they have never been exposed to democracy. He is seemed kind like the north Korean “messiah” because he is the one who has led the North Koreans to achieve final victory and became self-reliant amidst extreme hardships. Everything good comes from the Kim’s family, so accepting a communist government was expected because this family is the one who is leading and will continue to lead the way against all odds.

How did the Korean War and Cold War shape the two Koreas through 1994?

To start, Korean people were already facing hardships during Japan’s ruling of Korea. As I said Japan imposed the naisen ittai policy. This policy created in my opinion a sort of unconscious ardent nationalism where Korea did not want to be ruled or stripped of the national identity by any other country. Without asking Koreans, USA led the partitioning process of the two Koreas by the 38th parallel at the end of World War II in 1945. The beginning of the Cold War of the two Koreans started in 1945 through the joint occupation of Korea by USA and USSR. Due to the fact that the two countries had different governments and saw each other as rivals, it was hard to agree on one single type of government for Korea. These disagreements were reflected by the support of groups of people who wanted to align to either USSR or USA. The Korean war was inevitable. Since the end of the Korean war the two Koreans have recognized each other’s state, although each state claimed to be the legitimate one. USA and the USSR played an important role to continue with the division while trying to maintain peace at the same time of the two Koreas by assisting each other’s state. One example is the Armistice Treaty. Then through the years, North Korea made attempts to create chaos or to destabilize the South Korean government with the intention to later on unify the two Koreas. These attempts created fear and concerns on the South Korean people who for the most part wanted to remain anti-Communist. Throughout the decades South Korea has become one of the four Asian tiger economies that in terms of education, economic growth, and technology are of these two Korea’s significantly apart. Although there is still a longing to become one Korea again, the historical vicissitudes, multicultural and economic differences make of this longing more a utopian dream than a reality. The two Koreas have followed different government paths which for the most part each state is comfortable with their new identities and with who they are now. Even today, USA still supports South Korea, while China still supports North Korea.   

[Hilda Dixon]

Julie Wakefield, I totally agree with you. This  that has hammered every aspect of the North Korean people has definitely shaped the perception of the North Korean people. From a westerner’s point of view this government might seem at times a kind of a dystopian society, for there is a societal control and the government gives the illusion of a perfect society.

[Hilda Dixon]

Heather Butler, I totally agree with you. I think he took advantage of the fact that many people were mostly farmers and had not been introduced to democracy yet.  For the most part, although this authoritarian system might be excessive for us as westerners, perhaps for the north Korean people is a good system since they have experienced a long lasting collective trauma. Prior to this regime, their ancestors lived through a traditional absolute monarchy, and then the Japanese colonial regime. This system provides them with their basic needs, and the Kim family has been doing a remarkable job to let its citizens know about it. Another key point is that Kim Il Sung witnessed when in China, Mao designated his Chairman, Lin Bio, as his successor.  Lin Bio before Mao’s death was planning to do a coup. Therefore, when Kim Il Sung was getting ill, he needed a trustable man that could continue his legacy. The best candidate was his son.

 

 

[Alyssa Yff]

I thought the same thing! I think looking through the lens of imperialism (whether in China or Korea) and the unequal treaties would be a great idea.  These are really great thoughts Tom, and I think they would be great to discuss with students.  

[Alyssa Yff]

Hi Juana,

I felt the same way! I think this is such a valuable piece of information to bring into the classroom.  It is clear that our books do not paint a very accurate picture of the Korean War (defintiely biased towards the United States).  I think having the students look at the devastation really helps them understand how and why we have such a troubled and difficult history with Korea to this day.  Thank you!

[Deborah Whetstone]

I feel like I learned it back in college, but something about your statement about Korea being divided unlike Germany who was an actual adversary clicked with: no, Korea wasn't the adversary, but in both cases, they were divided between former allies, split now into pro-capitalist democracy vs pro-authoritarian communist.  There was no need to divide Japan, due to hte US making the decisive move to drop atomic bombs to end the Pacific theater - so since Japan was undoubtedly *with* the US, just as East Germany needed to be a buffer for the Soviet Union, Korea became that on their Eastern border.  Thank you for phrasing it to help with that connection!

[Deborah Whetstone]

Okay, now that I've finally been able to finish the last article, a large aspect that stood out to be - I think because of my study of Russian history - was that KIS *purposely* set out to make him and his brand of communism *different*.  Most especially was the description of the portraits where Stalin and Mao get ADDED TO the communist fathers to shore up their commusit legacy, whereas KIS never did that, making his image him alone - simply establishing his OWN communist legacy.  That, together with the description of the Korean people's immediate history - isolated, colonized, brutalized - not knowing any different, or what other options might be.  These two angles, to me, are incredibly significant.  

[Deborah Whetstone]

I'd just posted the same thought!  That history / background / isolation was critical to the NKs accepting KISs ideology!  

[Deborah Whetstone]

Another angle with SK developing so quickly that stood out to me this past week, was them capitalizing on the Vietnam War and recovery to ramp up sales of steel, I believe it was.  That's an angle I think I'm going to research more, and possibly bring in to my classes.  The . . . irony . . . of that, I guess.  Again, I need to do more research on that.

[Heather Butler]

Meghann,

I also find the arts that portray Kim Il Sung interesting in how it portrays him as this heroic father figure and the US and South Korea as evil villians. It makes me think a lot about WWII propaganda used by the Allies and Axis, where there are these heroic images of their side and monstrous views of "the other". And this proliferated from children's books to sporting events. I am curious how much the propaganda style has changed to current times, since the 90's children's books still held art styles similar to the Socialist Realism that occured decades before. Knowing how to use propaganda is a key technique for leaders trying to unite a group of people. 

[Heather Butler]

Laura,

Your comparison to the division of Germany, didn't even occur to me. In reality, even the US tends to say they are pro-democracy, really they are anti-Communism, such as you pointed out with the backing of Rhee. We created our own enemy through the extensive use of napalm and bombing throughout North Korea, much like how the Versailles Treaty after WWI, which stripped so much from Germany contributed to WWII.

[Nancy Marvel]

How did Kim Il Sung establish a communist monarchy? I think that Kim II Sung was able to establish a communust monarchy through control and fear. He would purge rivals and those who dared question him and kept close those loyal to him. Once he got his foot in the door as premier in 1948, that was it -he wasn't going anywhere. It is interesting that he tried to "legitimze" his role and his regime by making the change from premier to president, given that there were not true, free elections and there was no option for another person to try to become the leader. 

 

How did the Korean War and Cold War shape the two Koreas through 1994? The Korean War and Cold War each helped create separate and distinct sections of Korea. Instead of one strong nation, Korea was divided into North and South Korea each with its own strengths and challenges. South Korea would be allied with the US and would suffer the loss of 217,000 soldiers in the war. Although, South Korea would go through a series of political regimes and constitutions, they do move back and forth on the path toward democracy. However, I had no idea how authoritarian/dictatorial many of the leaders of South Korea actually were. Economically, South Korea was able to go from a country dependent of foreign aid to catching up to North Korea's economy in the 1970s and then surpassing it to become a major player in the international markets. North Korea became allied with the Soviet Union and China and while Kim Il Sung stated he was not shaped by those allies, they did have an impact on North Korea. North Korea accepted aid from the Soviet Union which helped solidify their economy. The focus for Kim Il Sung and North Korea was economic sustenance, military self defense, and political independence. Kim Il Sung created his communist monarchy which he would pass to his son upon his death. Each of these wars had the effect of keeping the two Koreas apart instead of bringing the country and its people back together. 

[Alyssa Yff]

Hi Guys,

The PBS documentary that Tom may be referring to is called "The Dictators Playbook."  It is excellent! They have an episode on Kim Il Sung and how he used the Cult of Personality to buid his regime.  They have excellent images and historical analysis within this film.  I have used this film and the Mussolini Dictators Playbook in class and students enjoy it.  I think they may have clips on PBS.org as well.  

[Kimberly de Berzunza]

How did Kim Il Sung establish a communist monarchy?

I think this was due to a combination of factors, but one of the main ones in my mind would be what several noted already: that people- families, land, and life- were devastated and needed something to look to. Kim Il Sung offered that through communist means and convinced them it worked through propaganda.  But another important point is the historic domination by Japan and China, and that feeling of perceived freedom- yes, like Castro's Cuban Revolution.  If we dissect this question a little further, communism appeals to people who have nothing, because it guarantees them something more than what they have at present. Capitalism guarantees you the opportunity of great wealth, but a larger likelihood of poverty and misery. That wasn't going so well for them, so it's easy to see how communism would appeal.  A monarchy is stable. If you've known almost nothing but war and foreign occupation, the concept of national stability would be appealing.  Finally, propaganda is incredibly powerful. Here I see little difference between the cult of Kim Il Sung and that of Castro, Perón, or Reagan, for that matter.

 

How did the Korean War and Cold War shape the two Koreas through 1994?

Again as others noted, this really starts with the end of WWII and the dividing of spheres of influence N/S, USSR/USA.  Howard Zinn's perspective on this is that the US had a large store of weapons they needed to use, and a large military force they wanted to keep going. So another war seemed like a good plan. Although most WWII soldiers would not go to Korea, their sons would, because of the glory of war and duty to their country. It was also the McCarthy era, so it was a good idea to go fight communism. It was great propaganda on the part of the Americans! I would imagine it was much the same from the Soviet perspective in terms of arms, if not soldiers, but the NKorean soldiers could easily be convinced this was the right thing to do, to reunite the peninsula under their "better" system.  I think this left a long legacy of divergent attitudes in Korea, where North Koreans were brainwashed into thinking one thing, and South Koreans another- one dependent on the Soviet Union, and the other dependent on the US.  Due to the US's superior potential for consumption, SK was able to become commercially and technologically developed again.  Although NK was also able to develop with the support of the USSR, their economy just wasn't as dynamic, and was unable to compete with the majority of the world.  All those corrupt leaders in SK had to have been propped up by the US for the US's advantage.  And China and Japan were trying to get their own countries together, so wouldn't be able to have the influence they would if this took place today.

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