Behind the Myth: Is North Korea Under One-Man Rule?

Most people outside of North Korea laugh at its government’s claim that practically every industrial, agricultural, cultural and military decision made there is informed by the genius of its “supreme leader”, Kim Jong-un. Relatively few, however, question whether Kim truly even has the authority to make such decisions.

But that is a mistake. To believe that Kim is as powerful as his government claims is to accept North Korean propaganda at face-value, which is never the best idea. And Kim’s strength as a dictator appears suspicious when we compare his reputation to what we know about how governing has always worked.

Historically, the idea of a ruler with perfect control has existed only in people’s imaginations. Consider the English kings of old as an example: they theoretically received absolute power from God, but only seemed to hold it for as long as they did not anger the Pope or the noble families on whom they depended for loyalty. Better yet, look at Korea’s own history of one-man rule: yes, Korea’s famous Joseon Dynasty (1492 – 1910 CE) technically did not fall for almost 500 years, but princes and kings were frequently bullied, or dethroned in favor of a sibling, because they angered one political faction or another.

There is little doubt that Kim Jong-un, king of today’s Joseon, is in a similarly fraught relationship with the officials of North Korea’s government. What is more, he is almost certainly a very weak king, and might well be dead if his blood did not confer some legitimacy on the policy decisions of whichever officials have sway over him. Kim Jong-un was forced by his father’s death to rush his ascension to power. His career in the government was only two years old before he became its leader at the ridiculous age of 28, making him the world’s youngest head of state.

Yet the world does not see Kim Jong-un as a figurehead, and for this incredulity we may thank the wiring of the human brain. People maintain simplistic views of world leaders’ power because it is much easier for the brain to focus its emotions on something it can visualize, especially if that visual is another person. On the most basic level, we focus on Kim Jong-un because he offers us a strong visual image. President Park Geun-hye’s approval ratings fell this year after the Sewol sank for the same reason: although she was not responsible for the disaster, she is the most visible person representative of the government and culture that Koreans do blame for it. Our governments and mainstream media encourage this bias to better harness our negative emotions.

So who stands behind Kim’s throne? That is one of the questions that keep experts on North Korea employed. For now, think on the irony that as Kim Jong-un’s subjects force themselves to smile at him, he may be forcing himself to smile back.