How N-Korea`s ruling party managed to stay in power for decades
(MENAFN) North Korea stands as the world's longest-surviving socialist state, outlasting even the Soviet Union. It has endured numerous challenges, including the Korean War (1950-1953), the devastating 'Arduous March' of the late 1990s—which saw up to 600,000 people perish from starvation and disease—and eight years of near-complete embargo due to UN Security Council sanctions. The reasons behind the regime's remarkable resilience are widely debated, but a significant factor is the administrative structure, particularly the role of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). Similar to the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, the WPK functions as both a political elite and a moral authority. Article 4 of North Korea's Constitution mandates that the country's activities be guided by the WPK's ideology.
The origins of North Korea's communist movement trace back to the Communist Party of Korea, established in 1925 during Japanese rule over Korea. However, within three years, the party was effectively disbanded. During this brief period, four central committees were replaced as members were primarily engaged in internal conflicts and activities akin to modern-day grant farming. The Communist International (Comintern), a global communist organization led by the Soviet Communist Party, eventually declared that none of the factions claiming to represent Korean communists could be considered a legitimate party. These factions were more focused on fighting each other than opposing the Japanese occupiers and even went as far as betraying their ideological rivals to the Japanese.
Despite these turbulent beginnings, the Workers' Party of Korea emerged as a crucial element in North Korea's governance, contributing to the regime's enduring stability and control over the nation.
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