The history of socialism on the Korean Peninsula is deeply intertwined with the region’s struggles for independence and self-determination. In the early 20th century, Korea was under Japanese colonial rule, and the idea of socialism, particularly Marxism-Leninism, began to gain traction among intellectuals and revolutionaries. Following the end of World War II and Japan’s defeat in 1945, Korea was divided along the 38th parallel, with the Soviet Union taking control of the north and the United States overseeing the south.
The Soviet-backed North Korea, under Kim Il-sung, adopted a socialist model heavily influenced by Marxism-Leninism, though it would later evolve into the unique ideology of Juche, or self- reliance. The Korean Workers’ Party, which would become the Workers’ Party of Korea, led the push for socialist policies in the north, and Kim Il-sung consolidated power with Soviet support, establishing a one-party state.In socialist parlance the DPRK, as the name suggests is a Peoples Democracy
In contrast, South Korea followed a different path, with a capitalist government that vas veered between parliamentarism and authoritarianism over the years. Despite this division, the core socialist principles of state control over the economy, central planning, and a focus on social welfare remained fundamental in the North. Today, North Korea continues to emphasize its socialist roots, with Juche playing a central role in its governance and national identity.
