Politics of North Korea

The politics of North Korea (officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea or DPRK) takes place within the framework of the official state philosophy, Kimilsungism–Kimjongilism. Juche, a part of the philosophy, is the belief that true socialism is achieved only through self-reliance and a strong independent state.

North Korea's political system is built upon the principle of centralization. The constitution defines North Korea as "a dictatorship of people's democracy" under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), which is given legal supremacy over other political parties. The WPK's General Secretary is typically the supreme leader, who controls its Presidium, Politburo, Secretariat and Central Military Commission, making the officeholder the most powerful person in North Korea.

The WPK is the ruling party of North Korea. It has been in power since its creation in 1948. Other minor political parties also exist, but are legally bound to accept the ruling role of the WPK. Elections occur only in single-candidate races where the candidate is effectively selected beforehand by the WPK. In addition to the minor political parties, there are over 100 mass organizations controlled by the WPK. Non-WPK members are required to join one of these organizations. The most important such organizations are the Socialist Patriotic Youth League, Socialist Women's Union of Korea, General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, and Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea.

Outside observers generally view North Korea as a totalitarian dictatorship, particularly noting the elaborate cult of personality around Kim Il Sung and his family. The WPK, led by a member of the ruling family, holds power in the state. Kim Jong Il placed emphasis on the Songun or "military-first" philosophy, and all references to communism were removed from the North Korean constitution in 2009 in favor of it and Juche. Under Kim Jong Un, terminology such as communism and the socialist economy returned to common use. He also made Kimilsungism–Kimjongilism the main ideology of the country.