Juche

Juche is the official state ideology of North Korea, a political philosophy that centers on self-reliance and national independence. It emphasizes independence in ideology, politics, and economy, and holds that a nation should determine its own destiny free from foreign influence. The concept also elevates the role of the leader as the central organizing force of society.

Originating in the 1950s and associated with Kim Il-sung, Juche was developed as a nationalist alternative to Soviet- and Chinese-inspired models. It was formalized as Juche Idea in the 1960s and is often summarized in the Three Principles: independence in ideology, independence in politics, and independence in economy. Over time, the idea came to include a strong emphasis on military self-reliance, a dimension that contributed to the later Songun, or "military-first," policy.

In governance, Juche has justified a highly centralized political system in which the Korean Workers' Party and the state claim authority over most aspects of life, including economic planning, education, and propaganda. The leadership of the Kim family is presented as the core of national reunification and policy direction.

Scholars describe Juche as both a philosophical doctrine and a practical framework used to legitimize autocratic rule and self-sufficiency policies. It remains central to North Korea's political discourse, though its concrete effects on economics and society are the subject of extensive debate.