Most of the foreign people often assume that Juche is an ideology that exists only inside the DPR Korea. Foreign medias portrayed it as an outdated and rigid ideology that is fully dependent on the Korean state government for survival. However, this view is not only false, but it is harmful to not only the credibility of the ideology but also the many scholars in many countries who are researching and studying Juche and called it a political theory.
While Juche is still very much a smaller theory compared to other mainstream thinkings in the field of political science and international relations, it has been slowly gaining international recognition and attention. Not in a dramatic, headline-grabbing way, but in a quieter form that are easy to miss if you are not looking at it closely. One of the many signs of this is the existence of the many localised and international groups and institutions that are dedicated to learning and discussing Juche as a political theory. These organisations are not only beneficial to the survival of Juche, but they are important as they are treating Juche seriously and thus the content of Juche can be studied and more developed. These groups have been around for years, some for decades. They are the home of political scientists, thinkers, and philosophers who are interested in other forms of political theories that are overlooked and discredited by the mainstream capitalist media. Although these groups are not large in terms of memberships, they are active and dedicated.
What draws people into studying Juche and niche political ideologies is not always what you might expect or what the mainstream media describes. It is not necessarily admiration for the DPRK, but it might be curiosity about the idea of self-reliance, a love of studying political philosophy, or even a desire to look beyond what is usually accepted as normal and right in society. For many Juche scholars, in a world full of uncertainty and constraint, this theory might offer a unique perspective on the global order.
Juche study groups do not only exist in socialist countries, but they can be easily locate in many other regions of the world. From Asia to Africa and to Europe, Juche study groups and other similar institutions operate in public and interact freely with available materials on the theory. In parts of Africa, the idea of self-control and autonomy connect deeply to the African people who have experienced colonialism or foreign interventions. In these places, Juche can appear more like an ideological response to external forces and domination. In this case, Juche almost appear like the theory of post-colonialism in politics and international relations.
The internet has also played a big role in Juche’s rise and the formation of the many newly established study groups and research institutions. In the past, access to Juche study materials and texts was very limited. But now, thanks to the internet, many translated texts, discussion, and study materials are available online for free or at very little cost. This has increased the accessibility to the theory and has been a big reason behind the rising trend of informal discussions and debates on Juche. In addition, this also means sometimes people accidentally stumble upon Juche too. A student who studies social science might come across this theory alongside the many more studied theories like the mainstream socialism, Marxism, and Leninism. It is almost ironic that the technology invented by the capitalists has given people exposure to many socialist ideologies and theories.
These developments are significant for Juche and in a way for many other smaller ideologies. It shows that no ideology has gone extinct or is completely restricted to its place of origin. In the case of Juche, it is everywhere. A few clicks on the internet, and one will find themselves hundreds or thousands of materials to read from. This also shows that while the audience may be small, Juche has continued to spread and evolve internationally.
In the end, Juche growing reputation and attention speaks loudly about how ideas travel across borders. People are constantly looking for new knowledge and new theories that might better address the many issues that are rising every day in this very unstable world. Juche in this case not only survives but thrives.
Essay by Kimlong Ly
Assistant Researcher, British Study Group for the Study of the Juche Idea
