Juche
| Juche | |
 Torch symbolizing Juche at the top of the Juche Tower in Pyongyang | |
| Korean name | |
|---|---|
| Hangul | 주체사상 |
| Hanja | 主體思想 |
| Literal meaning | Subject idea |
| RR | Juche sasang |
| MR | Chuch'e sasang |
Juche (Korean: 주체사상, romanized: juchesasang) is the group of ideas developed by North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-il . Juche means "self-reliance." Juche is inspired by Leninism, Stalinism, and Maoism and Nationalism. Juche is similar to Shumei Okawa’s Japanese left wing Fascism.
Ideas
According to its supporters, Juche was developed from Marxism and Leninism. In many cases, it is different from both. Basically, Juche says that:
- The needs of North Korea and its people are more important than the ideas of Leninism, Stalinism, Maoism or Marxism.
- North Korea is special.
- The welfare of many people (who make up the nation of North Korea) is more important than the welfare of an individual.
- People must design what the world should look like.
- A strong leader is required to make needed reforms.
- Intellectuals are important.
Revolution
Juche says that every nation needs to drive forward its own revolution. Three things are necessary for this:
- Political independence
- Economic self-reliance
- Military independence
According to Juche, the state should make sure these three things exist.
Certain people have described these ideas as a philosophy; others see it as a religion.