Time for North Korea to Vote itself out of Existence

North Korea came into existence in 1945 at the end of WWII. The Japanese had occupied Korea during the war. Upon Japan’s defeat, Korea was divided into U.S. and U.S.S.R. zones of occupation along the 38th parallel.

It has been a communist state for 73 years. Europe, which was also divided into Western and Soviet zones of occupation with the collapse of the United Soviet Socialist Republics in 1990-1991, has ceased to be divided.

So, why does North Korea continue to exist? Why, if socialism works, does North Korea remain an economic failure?

North Korea has operated under its own ideology since 1955 — “Juche.” It emphasize the centeredness of North Korea. It embodies the so-called “wisdom” of Kim Il-sung.

North Korean leadership claims it provides “a complete answer to any questions that arises in the struggle for national liberation.” It has three core principles: economic self-sufficiency, military self-reliance and an independent foreign policy.

It was originally described in North Korean propaganda as a “creative application” of Marxist-Leninism, but more recently, it has been re-described as “the only scientific thought ... and most effective revolutionary theoretical structure that leads to the future of communist society.”

In the 1980s, references to Juche eventually replaced Marxism–Leninism references. The 2009 North Korean Constitution dropped all references to communism and focused instead on the regime’s military-first policy. It also confirmed the position of Kim Jong-il. Nevertheless, today, the North Korean constitution still retains references to socialism. Today Juche provides the justification for North Korea’s spartan economy, poverty and discipline demanded by its totalitarian government.

The only reason I can see for North Korea continuing to exist is to provide Kim Jong-un, his relatives and his henchmen, with positions of power and wealth. If it’s no benefit the starving populace; there is a much easier and quicker way to get the job done. But that would involve the North Korean leadership giving up its privileged positions of wealth and power. It would involve uniting with South Korea.

The GDP of South Korea is currently estimated at 36.7 times that of North Korea. In 2013, the North Korean GDP was estimated at $33 billion. The South Korea GDP at $1.19 trillion. The per capita South Korean GDP was estimated at $33,200, but only $1,800 in the North (as per CIA World Factbook.)

South Korea’s trade volume in 2013 was $1.07 trillion. North Korea’s was $7.3 billion. North Korea runs a huge trade deficit. The opposite is true of the South. South Korean brands are known worldwide. They include Samsung, Hyundai and Kia.

North Korea does not produce enough food to feed its population. Chronic food shortages have resulted in undernourishment among the North Korean people. As a result, North Koreans tend to be smaller than South Koreans. North Korean life expectancy (69.2 years) is lower than South Korea’s (79.3 years). The infant mortality rate in South Korea is 4.08 per 1,000 live births; in North Korea it’s 26.21 per 1000 (2012 figures).

Contrary to the rules in South Korea, North Korea prohibits its citizens from freely traveling and immigrating abroad, and from using the internet. According to the 2014 Press Freedom Index, South Korea ranks 57th; North Korea, 179th.


The bottom line is this: If the North Korean leaders gave a damn about their people, the would vote North Korea and its leadership out of existence, and vote to unite with the South. Starving people can’t eat ICBMs.


The U.S.S.R. came into existence in 1922 and dissolved on Dec. 26, 1991. Its promises of a socialist utopia failed miserably. When it did, Eastern Europe, which had been dragged into communist socialism, repudiated its great “gift” from the U.S.S.R.

North Korea has existed four years longer than the U.S.S.R., and has produced even worse results. The regime’s legacy is totalitarianism and malnutrition. How much more suffering is the leadership willing to force upon its own people?

The time has come for North Korea to follow the lead of the Soviets and dissolve itself. 

And for all who want the U.S. to become a socialist utopia, take a trip to North Korea — if you can get in — and live there a while. Of course, you may not be able to get back out!

Then again, it might be safer to take a shorter educational trip to Venezuela.

Posted: QCOline.com   December 13, 2018
Copyright 2018, John Donald O'Shea