In July 2015, North Korea held its latest round of elections, boasting a nearly 100%
voting turnout.
But despite calling themselves “The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” they have
been ranked as the least democratic, and most authoritarian country in the world.
So, how exactly does North Korea’s government work?
Well, North Korea is effectively a totalitarian state run by a dynastic line of dictators.
North Korea’s cultural and political identity is based on a devotion to leader Kim Il-Sung,
whose Presidential authority is written into the constitution.
In fact, the long dead leader is still officially the eternal President, making North Korea
the only necro-ocracy in the world.
However, it is his grandson, Kim Jong Un who is the current Supreme Leader, and whose authority
is…well, Supreme.
The North Korean government is basically split into three branches, executive, legislative,
and judicial.
The executive branch is controlled by the Premier and Kim Jong Un, who is also in control
of the military.
The legislative branch is primarily a Congress called the Supreme People’s Assembly.
Elections for the SPA are every 5 years, and ostensibly they are a check and balance against
the other two branches.
The SPA is occupied almost entirely by members of the Worker’s Party of Korea, which is
the only ruling party allowed by the Constitution.
There are two other minor parties but they are both controlled by the Worker’s Party.
The judicial branch is known for secretive trials and a disregard for human rights.
All judges are selected by the SPA.
So, how does this all work in practice?
Well, candidates for congress are chosen by the Worker’s Party.
Each candidate runs unopposed, and anybody who wants to vote against the candidate has
to use a special booth.
Since North Korea publicly executes its citizens for any anti-state actions, this is not a
good idea.
After all the chosen candidates win their elections by a landslide, the new SPA congress
rarely meets.
Historically they are a rubber-stamp congress, and have approved nearly every single proposed
law without debate.
In effect, North Korea goes through all the motions of a parliamentary democracy, while
operating as a theocratic dictatorship.
Clearly, one does not disagree with the divine rights of the leader of a theocracy, in this
case, Kim Il-Sung.
While North Koreans may want to put a stop to the countless human rights abuses, mass
incarceration, and widespread famine, there is no political method of doing so.
The cult of personality surrounding the Kim family is one of the driving forces behind
North Korea’s totally insane system of government.
check out our video about Kim Jong Un to learn more about the country’s latest dictator.
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