What are the factors that sustain the North Korean totalitarian regime from collapsing while the South Korean state has transitioned to a democracy?

Your Name Subject and Section Professor’s Name May 12, 2024 Sustaining Totalitarianism: Factors Upholding North Korea Amidst South Korea's Democratic Transition The Korean Peninsula offers the most glaring example of two countries whose political paths have diverged in contemporary history. Following the devastation of World War II and the subsequent Cold War era, Korea split itself into two distinct states along the 38th parallel: The Republic of North Korea and the Republic of South Korea. It implied a massive geographical orientation and spelled the beginning of drastically different political, economic, and socio-cultural dynamics that resulted from international alliances and home policies. In contrast to South Korea, which chose democratic reforms and economic development, North Korea became a totalitarian state that has, however, shown an unexpected resilience. On the one hand, this will go deeper into Western education, which forces the North Koreans to opt for an unfree society even though South Korea's democracy has provided them with an open, necessary society. The study emphasizes ideological indoctrination, political repression, economic control, and international isolation as the pillars for the continuation of the longevity of the Pyong Yang system in North Korea. On the contrary, the paper is trying to have a holistic discussion of the internal and external factors that have been considered to be the leading cause of the political stability and transformation of both countries by comparing the democratic development in South Korea, which was mainly caused by the economic growth, civilians' engagement, and South Korea's integration into international institutions, with the political upheaval in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. On the other hand, this paper will, therefore, arouse an understanding of the deeply-rooted factors that enable North Korea's governing model to thrive while revealing the external and dynamic influence of history, culture, and foreign relations that govern South Korea's democratization. Such a comparative study is instrumental in revealing the intricate web of the political issues on the Korean Peninsula and far-reaching outcomes for the region's international relations and peace process. Political Religious Background and Historical Foundations The political identity of North and South Korea was inextricably bound up with the events following the conclusion of World War II, which formed the basis upon which two totally different states appeared on the Korean Peninsula. This part uncovers the primary political events in North and South Korea, which are closely connected to the significant historical events that have profoundly impacted the change each side has experienced. When the Korean Peninsula was divided in 1945 and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was formed in 1948, Kim Il-sung, the foremost leader, established the foundations of a totalitarian regime that would last decades (Kim 2022, pp. 143). The oppressive regime established a rigid stranglehold over all aspects of the political, social, and economic life, which the highly centralized, party-ruled government all foundations on. Kim Il-sung consolidated power by combining Soviet involvement and careful suppression of opposition, which set up a governance model based on absolute loyalty to the Party and the Leader (Pham, 2021, p. 143). The adoption of the Juche ideology, which stresses self-reliance and nationalism, along with the regime insisting on the distinctiveness of its state, created a new identity of the country, different from what belongs to South Korea (Kim 2022, p. 77). Difference with South Korea In the meantime, South Korean people had a tough time facing the turbulent period of democratization. In the beginning, Korea had a series of military regimes and proved politically unstable with authoritarian rule after being established in 1948. Not until the 1980s did democratization finally occur, caused by the growing public dissatisfaction with the abuse of power and the substandard results achieved under authoritarian rule. Some significant events characterized the eventful path to democracy. This includes the 1980 Gwangju uprising and the democratic reforms in 1980 that contributed to building the foundation of democratic rule and greater freedoms (Lee, 2023, p.282). Key Historical Events Neither North Korea nor South Korea can be fully comprehended without considering the impacts of the Korean War (1950-1953), which ultimately solidified the Korean peninsula division and further reinforced the current long-term conflict and rivalry scenarios between the two countries. The war bequeaths a legacy of loss and mistrust, the biggest obstacle to reconciliation and unification (Devine, 2002, p. 89). Also, the Cold War was the background that was significant in shaping the region's political environment. North Korea linked itself firmly with the USSR and the People's Republic of China, benefiting from their military and economic assistance, which continued to keep its regime of the authoritarian type . In contrast, South Korea gained its full-fledged economic boom and liberal politics through its strategic relationship with the United States by giving military protection and offering economic assistance (Taylor, p.2020). Elaborating What is Underlying the North Korean Regime Ideological Control The Juche ideology, which called for independence with a militaristic solid base, is the main principle of the North Korean government's dominion over its people. Besides being a political tool to back up the regime's anti-colonial policy, the self-sufficient philosophy could also develop self-esteem and liberation from imperialism. By persuading the population to accept that North Korea does not need any outside world, the regime is continually conso...