In Kim Jong Un’s speeches, Marx returns to North Korea | NK News
NK News Logo
November 21, 2024
NK News is hiring
Analysis

In Kim Jong Un’s speeches, Marx returns to North Korea

Reappearance of communism in country's discourse suggests regime's loss of ideological control due to pandemic

About a decade ago, North Korea took down the portraits of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin from Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, and the last vestiges of Marxism-Leninism in the country were suddenly gone.

The disappearance of the portraits followed the 2009 removal of all references to communism from the North Korean constitution, as the DPRK’s cultish leader worship system, known as Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism, became “the only guiding idea of the Party.” 

Become a member for less
than $5.75 per week.

  • Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
  • The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop
  • Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
  • Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe now

All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.