KCNA Commentary Blasts Japan's Design for Overseas Expansion

Pyongyang, October 30 (KCNA) -- Moves to call back the departed soul of militarism have been witnessed one after another in Japan.

Days ago, 70 supra-partisan dietmen of Japan paid a group visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, the third of its kind this year.

Earlier, Abe at a ceremony for reviewing the "Self-Defense Forces" (SDF) troops talked about a "duty of politician", revealing his ulterior design to specify the existence of the SDF in the constitution. He also sent offering to the shrine during his tour of Europe. It can be seen as part of the moves.

The moves aroused concern of the international community as they are a warlike act to realize a dirty dream for overseas expansion by calling back the departed soul of militarism which ruined in the last century.

What matters is that all the policies of the Abe group have been designed to pave the road for overseas invasion by turning the Japanese society into the right and militarization.

The Yasukuni Shrine, where remains of top class war criminals such as Tojo, militarist ringleader who earned ill fame during the Second World War, are entombed, has become a target of hatred and rejection by the peoples in Asia and the rest of the world.

The group visit to it by cabinet ministers and dietmen of Japan is aimed to make the war maniacs "patriots" and "heroes" and thus imbue the Japanese people, new generations to come in particular, with militarism and use them as "shock brigade" in a war for reinvasion.

Abe's indirect visit of years in the form of sending offerings to the shrine to avoid the denunciation from the international community can never change the essence of the visit nor cover up the wild ambition for reinvasion.

The Japanese reactionaries seek, in the long run, to provide an ideological and moral groundwork for reinvasion.

The Abe group's persistent scheme for retrogressive revision of the constitution, too, is not merely modification of words but an extremely dangerous act to complete the legal foundation for militarization and overseas expansion.

That's why foreign news media including AP commented that Abe openly betrayed his "wild ambition to realize the constitution revision, his long-cherished desire".

What should not be overlooked is that Japan, which imposed huge misfortune and sufferings upon Koreans and other Asian nations in the last century, rushes headlong into the road of militarist reinvasion.

The reckless moves of the Japanese reactionaries endanger peace and security in the Korean peninsula, Northeast Asia and the rest of the world.

The international community will not remain a passive onlooker to the wild ambition for overseas expansion of Japan, a war criminal state. -0-

Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Inspects Samjiyon County

Pyongyang, October 30 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, inspected Samjiyon County.

Supreme Leader of the Party, state and army Kim Jong Un learned about the construction of the township of Samjiyon County.

Looking round dwelling houses, service facilities and public buildings newly built in the township area, he said with great appreciation that when he came there in August, framework construction was under way and in just a little more than two months most of them have entered the phase of completion. He was greatly pleased to see Samjiyon County that has taken its fabulous shape as a model cultured city in the mountainous area as wished by the Party.

He dropped in at a completed dwelling house where he said that the construction has been done flawlessly while looking round living room, kitchen, bathroom and other parts of the house.

All the commanding officers and soldier-builders and shock brigade members who took part in the construction of Samjiyon County have successfully carried out construction tasks for this year including the construction projects in area around Lake Chon in Mt Paektu, public and industrial buildings, dwelling houses and road project in the township area, he said with high appreciation.

He learned about the construction of Samjiyon County, provision of materials and manpower and transport of supplies that have been carried out up to now and heard a report about issues arising in the course of construction.

Noting that the Cabinet and the Samjiyon County Construction Command plan to carry out all the projects in the county in four phases by 2021, he said that this differs from the intention of the Party. He added that the Party plans and hopes that the construction would be divided into three phases and be finished within the period of five-year strategy for national economic development, advancing a militant task to work out the plan again to finish the overall construction plan of Samjiyon County ahead of schedule by October 2020 in which falls the 75th anniversary of the WPK, and to unconditionally carry it out.

Next year is of key importance in completing the Samjiyon County construction by 2020, he said, calling for perfectly completing the township construction by next year and setting up scientific and accurate goals for all processes, procedures, phases and years to step up other projects and for concentrating all state efforts to push ahead with them.

He said that construction plan for next year, which is second-phase year of the Samjiyon County construction, should be clearly specified and all preparations should be made carefully ranging from assigning projects to construction units in a detailed way to timely providing building materials, funds, manpower and taking transport measures needed for the construction to push forward the construction next year just as it has been done this year.

He said that as he stresses every time, emphasizing speed only being obsessed by impatience to unconditionally finish something by a certain time should be prevented, adding that just like other work if the construction is done to be gorgeous in appearance but poor in substance, it will be blamed by the people and future generations for long. He said that shoveling even one shovel of earth and plastering even one square meter should be done with conscience just as the real owner of a house would do, stressing the need to build all structures to be monumental edifices of lasting significance in the era of the Workers' Party by thoroughly ensuring quality on the highest level.

He also set forth tasks for wonderfully building the Samjiyon County People's Hospital, the Samjiyon County Sci-Tech Library and additional hotels and took a step to organize additional construction force needed for them.

He visited the construction site of the Samjiyon Blueberry Drink Factory which will produce various blueberry drinks and processed goods including blueberry sweet jelly, blueberry juice and blueberry wine. Saying that big progress has been made in a short span of time, he instructed to finish the factory by the end of this year.

The Supreme Leader gave field guidance to the Samjiyon Potato Farina Production Factory again that day.

Watching a mountain of potatoes that packed storehouses, he was so glad and spoke highly of Samjiyon County for reaping a high yield in potato farming despite unusually unfavorable climatic conditions this year.

He said that corresponding with the massive production of potato powder, its advantages and effectiveness should be informed to the people and the methods of making various potato powder foods should be widely imparted to them so that they can actively introduce them to their diet.

He sat unreservedly on a heap of potatoes with leading officials of the province and county and officials of the factory to have a photo taken.

Accompanying him were Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK, vice-chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and vice-chairman of the C.C., WPK, Jo Yong Won and Kim Yong Su, vice department directors of the C.C., WPK, Kim Chang Son, department director of the State Affairs Commission, and Ma Won Chun, bureau director of the State Affairs Commission. -0-

Rodong Sinmun on Predatory Nature of Capitalism

Pyongyang, October 28 (KCNA) -- The capitalist class noisily advertises for the development of science and technology as it increases production and makes a "contribution" to the "welfare for all people," but it is nothing but a sophism to cover up their predatory nature.

The growth of the production based on science and technology in the capitalist society does not give a big help to the working class and it drives the broad working people into misfortune and pain.

Rodong Sinmun Sunday says this in an article.

The article goes on:

In the capitalist society the monopolists regard the successes in developing science and technology as very good means to satisfy their unlimited cupidity.

Today the capitalists get bigger profit than that in the past period by competitively introducing the scientific and technological successes.

The monopolists have used the scientific and technological successes as means for harshly exploiting the working people.

Today the capitalists' exploitation of the working people is subdivided to the maximum.

The capitalists increase their profits by reducing the number of workers at the maximum in stead of introducing the scientific and technological successes.

Now in the capitalist countries the number of workers reduces and more profits go to the capitalists as the up-to-date scientific and technological successes are introduced to ceaselessly increase the production and improve management activities.

The overwhelming majority of working people can not avoid from suffering damages owing to the exploiting and predatory nature of the capitalist society.

The plight of the working people can never be improved in the capitalist society as long as the production means are controlled by a few monopolists. -0-

U.S. Distortion of Facts Censured

Pyongyang, October 27 (KCNA) -- The director of the Pyongyang Friendship Hospital gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA on Saturday as regards allegations coming out recently within the U.S., which distort the truth as to the cause of death of an American student Warmbier:

American student Warmbier died after his return to the U.S. following the release on sick bail in June 2017. He was undergoing the reform through labor which he had been sentenced to on a charge of anti-DPRK hostile act committed in January 2016.

However, several American doctors reportedly involved in the health check-up and treatment of Warmbier submitted “medical observation” to a federal district court in Washington D.C. on October 10 to the effect that "he had died of torture", alleging that "they had concluded his teeth were dislocated and his gum bone damaged by physical force from outside".

Worse still, Haley, U.S. permanent representative to the UN, reportedly made such reckless remarks as "in north Korea, where Warmbier was tortured to death, and that was evil".

As the director of the hospital directly involved in medical treatment of Warmbier, I cannot repress my indignation over the American total distortion of the truth regarding his death.

As Warmbier had admitted by himself at a press conference, we provided medical care to him with sincerity from humanitarian viewpoint until his return to the U.S., though he was a criminal who had committed a hostile act against the DPRK.

The American doctors who came to the DPRK to help Warmbier's repatriation acknowledged that his health indicators were all normal and submitted a letter of assurance to our hospital that they shared the diagnostic result of the doctors of our hospital. That document is still in our hands.

According to an article carried in the American newspaper "USA Today" on June 21, 2017, a neurosurgeon in the University of Cincinnati admitted that medical examination of Warmbier had not found any trace of physical abuse like bone fracture or internal injury and he came home in a well-nourished condition.

And also according to the American NBC news on September 27, 2017, a medical examiner from Ohio of the U.S. testified in his report that they combed Warmbier's body to find any trace of torture, but failed to do so and forensic dentists couldn't find any evidence of trauma to Warmbier's teeth.

Now the question is: what is the ulterior motive of those American doctors trying to make a different story at this point in time with regard to the cause of Warmbier's death.

Medical assessment of doctors should be objective and accurate, and it should not be influenced by any selfish purpose or political interest.

Anyone, who values truth in sincerity, should instead ask for an investigation into the cause of Warmbier's sudden death soon after his arrival in the U.S., whose health indicators were all normal at the time of his release.

The DPRK treats as ever those who are undergoing reform in conformity with the relevant international laws and international standard. -0-

Interrupter of inter-Korean ties

Interrupter of inter-Korean ties  On October 17, a civic organization for peace against war held a rally outside the US embassy to sharply criticize the US for interrupting inter-Korean relationship.  The south Korean authorities are examining lift of “May 24 step” harmful to inter-Korean rapprochement and cooperation, however, US President Trump and his high-ranking officials are making objection to it, it is a wanton violation of sovereignty of the Korean nation, it charged.     They made “human train” in token of protest against the US and expressed their indignation by treading the Stars and Stripes to the tune of a song. Some days ago, the Seoul Headquarters of the South Side Committee for Implementing June 15 Joint Declaration called a press conference at the Gwanghwamun Plaza to strongly denounce the US for saying “approval” on the lift of sanction against north Korea. Trump’s mad remark “South Korea would do nothing without our approval” is an act of arrogation and the infringement on sovereignty, they censured. The north and the south of Korea agreed to reconnect severed railways on the eastern and western coasts and resume tourism of Mt. Geumgang and Gaeseong Industrial Park, the head of the South Side Committee for Implementing June 15 Joint Declaration said. He pointed out that the US should not encumber the Korean nation’s advance toward peace, prosperity and reunification of the Korean Peninsula. They strongly demanded open apology of Trump, lift of anti-DPRK sanctions and suspension of interference in domestic affairs, while chanting slogans “Lift anti-DPRK sanctions” and “Stop infringement on national sovereignty”.

Make a close inquiry into dissolution of UPP!

Make a close inquiry into dissolution of UPP!

Members of the Unified Progressive Party, which had been disbanded in December 2014 by suppression of the Park Geun-hye regime, launched an action for reinstatement.

On October 20, the members of the UPP held a rally outside the Supreme Court in Seoul to demand a close investigation into the abuse of judicial power of the Ministry of Justice when Yang Soong-tae was in the president of the Supreme Court and release of Lee Seok-gi, a former member of the UPP.

On the day, about 1 200 members of the former UPP raised their voice for reinstatement on the street. 

They demanded a strict investigation into forced dissolution of the UPP, behind-the-scenes operation and the abuse of judicial power, punishment of Kim Gi-chun, former presidential chief of staff of Cheongwadae and Yang Soong-tae, former president of the Supreme Court, the acquittal of Lee Seok-gi, the former member of the UPP, inquiry into human right abuse of the UPP members and president’s apology on state-sponsored violence. 

Today is 1 402 days since the UPP had been dissolved, we would like to ask ourselves whether a new has come, they said through resolution .

70-year long struggle brought to light the truth of April 3 Cheju popular uprising and 27-year long action brought to light the truth of May 18 popular resistance, they noted and pointed out that they would reveal the truth of the forced dissolution of the UPP.  

The compulsory dissolution of the UPP is the worst tragedy of south Korean politics ignoring the constitution, they said, and noted that the last gateway of breaking with the old era is the reinstatement of the UPP.

We should bring to light the dissolution of the UPP and punish Yang and those ran counter to the law, Gang Byong-gi, former chairman of the emergency measure committee of the UPP exclaimed. 

JUCHE AND CONFUCIANISM An incorrect conflation by Daniel Webster

This article is published in order to promote a greater understanding of the Juche idea and answer some myths. The views are those of the  author and does not nessecarily reflect those of the Juche Idea Study Group of England , nevertheless we are grateful to the author for this contribution.

 We would add that the Workers' Party of Korea always opposed confucianism as the speech made by great comrade Kim Il Sung  to the 5th Congress of the WPK shows to cite just one example

JUCHE AND CONFUCIANISM 

An incorrect conflation 

INTRODUCTION

There is much mud thrown at the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in regards to it being a ‘Confucianist’ nation, that the Workers’ Party of Korea, the state apparatus and therefore its guiding ideology, the Juche Ideology, pushes a Confucianist agenda. This belief stems from the general misunderstanding of Juche and also, I dare say an misunderstanding of Confucianism too.  Both ideas make reference to ‘family’ attributes, especially in regards to the role of the government as a ‘family’-like structure. When one delves into the philosophical nature of the Juche idea however, sharp distinctions can be found within its very fabric which not only separates it from Confucianism but actively rejects it along with any other idealistic religious ideas. 

Of course, we have to accept that confucianism was heavily engrained into the cultural fabric of the entire Korean nation. Confucianism on the Korean peninsula dates back to at least as early as the Koryo Dynasty. Both the DPR of Korea and the Republic of Korea have heavy Confucianist cultural influences and uprooting such influences is no easy feat when it has been a part of the Korean identity since the first century. 

At this juncture it is extremely important to clarify two essential points:

1. Confucianism is not necessarily a negative idea, much like Christianity or Islam. Many societies have called themselves christian and have taken on vastly different characteristics. Fundamentally I do not think a socialist society with a strong Confucianist cultural character is any better or worse than a socialist society with christian cultural influences, see the USSR. Much like how communists do not consider capitalism under an Islamic state to be any better or worse than a capitalist state under christianity (In regards to the mode of production etc). It is therefore not in the interest of this analysis to argue one way or another about the merits and drawbacks of Confucianism itself. 
2. In extension to the above, other nations (naturally the most significant given the context is the Republic of Korea) have a strong Confucianist character in its cultural life. Since the division of the peninsula the two nations have developed along different lines under significantly different modes of production. The simple question to be raised is why is one nation’s Confucianist cultural heritage considered a negative aspect of its society whilst the other is hardly ever taken into consideration at all?

I think the answer is likely obvious to most. For a long time Juche (and communist thought as a whole) has been attacked as being like a cult or religion. The idea of a personality cult reigns supreme and the inclusion of Confucianism as a criticism of the DPRK only helps cement the idea that Kim Il Sung , Kim Jong Il  Kim Jon -Un are gods amongst men. In regards to the claims of a personality cult the reader may perhaps come to reconsider their position on the matter over the course of this analysis. It is not however its primary task and therefore this topic will not be focused on in too much depth. The primary task of this analysis is to dispel the idea of the existence of a direct link between the Juche philosophy and Confucianism. In doing so it will hopefully shed fresh light onto the Juche idea for the reader and onto the governance of the DPRK as a whole. 

CONFUCIANISM AND ‘THE FAMILY’

The basic tenants of Confucianism in regards to the family is that the lesser being is subordinate to the higher being. The child is subordinate to the parent, the wife to the husband, the younger brother to the older and finally they are all subordinate to the nation’s ruler. The father of the state. 

Another essential element of Confucianism is to clarify its role within politics. The basic relationship between the nation’s ruler and subjects is simple. The people must respect the ruler’s supreme authority and in return the ruler will act with paternal love for his people and enact policies with their best interest at heart.

Finally, it is vital to note that each member of the Confucian society acts in accordance with their assigned role. A father IS a father, the King IS a King and those positions must be respected as such. 

JUCHE AND THE ‘FAMILY’

The ‘family’-like aspects of the Juche philosophy is summed up by Kim Jong-Il as follows:

The ideas Kim Jong-Il is expressing is that in the establishment of the socialist society the contradictions between people, characterised by their relationship to the means of production, is eliminated. The equalisation of relations to the means of production coupled with the people’s dawning consciousness of their independence and creativity will inevitably result in a society based on the principles of respect, love and trust. The people of a society based on collectivism whilst respecting the individual requirements of each member of that collective will come to regard one-another as equals. No longer will people be alienated from social and economic life. 

‘The leader and his men, and the party and the people’ describes the relationship between the nation and the party. In socialism and communism, the party is the vanguard. This vanguard is the most advanced detachment of working class who have proven themselves to be the most class conscious members of society and have such approval by the collective. It is the collective who makes the active decision as to which members of that society can take on the role of leadership. 

Allow me to quote the communist manifesto:

‘The Communists, therefore, are on the one hand, practically, the most advanced and resolute section of the working-class parties of every country, that section which pushes forward all others; on the other hand, theoretically, they have over the great mass of the proletariat the advantage of clearly understanding the line of march, the conditions, and the ultimate general results of the proletarian movement.’

-Marx and Engels, The Communist Manifesto.

It is the vanguard party which becomes the guiding force of society. The party which goes amongst the people and learns from them, educates them and delivers to them their needs and requirements. 

To quote from the manifesto again:

‘In what relation do the Communists stand to the proletarians as a whole?

The Communists do not form a separate party opposed to the other working class parties. They have no interests separate and apart from those of the proletariat as a whole. They do not set up any sectarian principles of their own, by which to shape and mould the proletarian movement.’

This is a very important quote and can go a long way in explaining one of the reasons for the collapse of socialism in the USSR. The party can never become divorced from the masses of working people. The vanguard party must always be in close contact with the masses, they must see to it that the needs and desires of the collective are delivered. In regards to the vanguard party of the USSR Kim Il-Sung said:

"the unity of the Party and the popular masses was not realized. The Party’s degeneration and divorce from the people made it impossible for the Party to give political leadership to the revolution and construction, and for the people, the motive force of socialism, to play their role as they should and defend socialism from the anti-socialist offensive of the imperialists and reactionaries.’

- Kim Il Sung, For the Accomplishment of the Socialist Cause

Kim Il-Sung recognised the abandonment of vanguard principles within the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU). This abandonment went counter to Marxist-Leninist ideas and gave-way to stagnation and the eventual collapse of socialism. The revolutionary spirit amongst the masses had also degenerated due to the divorce of the vanguard party and the working class. The  working class’ consciousness as independent and creative beings had withered away and what was left was a general apathy to socialist principles. 

To counter this, the DPRK employs a theory which Mao Zedong called the ‘mass line’. To put it simply the revolutionary party goes amongst the ordinary working people and collects an array of ideas, concerns, problems and so on. The party collates all of the information, interprets it within the scope of socialism and then provides a working solution. Finally, the party then returns to the masses and propagates these ideals thus the close bond between the party and the people, the leader and his men is always maintained. The party can later determine if their solutions to the masses’ problems were successful by continuing the process of the mass line, solving any and all problems when they arise.

This method is clearly referred to by Kim Il-Sung when he says:

‘Our Party’s traditional work method of leading the revolution and construction to victory by believing in the strength of the masses, always living among them, educating them and motivating them has found systematic expression in the Chongsanri spirit and Chongsanri method. The Chongsanri spirit and Chongsanri method we have established are the Juche-orientated principle and method of mass leadership, which are the application of the revolutionary mass line. On the basis of the Chongsanri spirit and Chongsanri method, our Party has established the Taean work system, the best system of managing the socialist economy. By the creation of the Chongsanri spirit and Chongsanri method and establishment of the Taean work system we have acquired a new mode of statecraft, the mode of genuine socialist statecraft, that accords with the intrinsic requirements of the socialist society.

We have always thoroughly implemented the revolutionary mass line in Party and state activities. That is why we have been able to overcome bureaucratism that may appear in the ruling party, convince the popular masses that they themselves are the masters of the socialist society, and realize an unbreakable unity of idea and purpose between the Party and the masses. In our country the Party and the masses in harmonious unity constitute the powerful motive force of the revolution, and all the people treasure the socialism they have built at the cost of their blood and sweat, as much as their lives. Socialism in our country, therefore, will not crumble.’

- Kim Il Sung, For the Accomplishment of the Socialist Cause

The trust between the two and the harmonious society it creates is built from the party’s ability to continuously implement policies which have been derived from the people themselves. Question at this point is why is this important when considering Confucianism and the Juche idea? The answer is simple. The equalisation of class relations, the creation of a vanguard party and its deep relationship with the working masses has played a huge role in the shaping of the DPRK’s society. It had created a working class of independent, creative and conscious beings who have an excellent relationship with those advanced members of society. The party-people relationship has always been strong, even during the days of the arduous march. 

Understanding the structure of the DPRK’s society is vital in order to answer of the question of it the Juche philosophy is Confucianist.

JUCHE AND RELIGION

Now that the relationship between the Korean masses and the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) has been explained it is now important to analyse the Juche philosophy’s stance towards religious idealism. 

Kim Jong-Il tackles this in ‘Socialism is a Science’, when explaining essential qualities of man he says:

This rejection of divine intervention runs directly counter to the Confucianist idea of ‘Tien Ming’ or ‘The Mandate of Heaven’ which bears a similarity to the ‘Divine Right of Kings’. These concepts were used to legitimise their authority and power over their people. 

The DPRK does not however regard religion to be illegal or advocate the abolition of religion:

‘Citizens have freedom of religious belief. This right is granted through the approval of the construction of religious buildings and the holding of religious ceremonies.

Religion must not be used as a pretext for drawing in foreign forces or for harming the State or social order.’

-Article 68, Constitution of the DPRK

Citizens can freely express their religious belief and are protected from religious persecution. However, the constitution also reflects Kim Jong-Il’s words and the Juche philosophy as a whole. Religion as an idealistic view of the world can easily be used to justify bourgeois-reactionary attacks against the DPRK and therefore harm the collective. To this end the constitution stipulates that religion can in no way be used to damage the socialist state.

Some may decry this to be unfair, however as stated in this analysis’ introduction, since religion is an idealist view and since it can therefore be interpreted in many different ways it can be used to support the socialist state or run against it, it can be used to support the capitalist state or run against it. Kim Jong-Il’s above quote clearly illustrates that religion has been and is utilised by the bourgeoisie to justify its position as the exploiting class and to trample upon the people’s independence, creativity and especially its consciousness. 

Religion is a need of the individual. It can take its place within the collective but cannot form part of the collective itself. Why? Because it would then run counter to the individual needs of other members and therefore the collective would cease to be that. The individual’s place is recognised as equal within the collective but use of religion to harm the social order runs counter to the collectivist ideals of socialism and therefore is unacceptable. Within the DPRK there is a strong cultural influence of Confucianism. It is perfectly acceptable for this to be the case. There is a sizeable population of Buddhists and Christians too. They work in harmony with one another as members of the collective and individually enjoy their right to their belief.

HEAVEN 

Now that the DPRK’s organisation and the Juche philosophy’s view of religion has been explained it is finally time to put to bed the the belief that Juche is Confucianist. 

As earlier described, the ‘Mandate of Heaven’ (MH) is the Confucianist way of legitimising a ruler’s authority over their people. To reiterate, the MH is bestowed upon certain individuals who then become the agents of Heaven and must act in accordance with its wishes. Failure to do so would result in the ruler’s replacement (death, imprisonment, invasion etc.). This of course is open entirely to interpretation and abuse. In reality, the MH was essentially what would keep the masses happy at that time. The Mandate of Heaven in practice was the will of the people (in the loosest sense of meaning). Succeeding to crush a peasant rebellion would provide proof that the ruler was fulfilling the MH, being overthrown was proof of the opposite. 

Within Confucianist thought it is perfectly acceptable to consider a socialist government as being the agents of the MH and therefore it can be legitimised as such. The key difference being is that the socialist government will not return the claim. Much like a christian considering a socialist government to be doing ‘God’s work’ even if that government does not claim to be doing so. In extension, Confucianists can easily apply their doctrine to the socialist state much like christians doing similar. For example, many left-wing christians will see the teachings of Christ as a collectivist and possibly even communist viewpoint. Right-wing christians reject this entirely.

The socialist government of the DPRK is guided by the principles of the Juche philosophy which as already explained considers all religions as an individual right of each citizen. 

JUCHE V. CONFUCIANISM

The harmonious society created between the revolutionary vanguard and the people, which rejects religious idealism as a guiding ideology, promotes religious equality yet places limitations on its ability to encroach upon other’s rights and the rights of the collective as a whole is only achievable through the implementation of scientific socialism. 

The Juche philosophy is a universal philosophy, one which can be creatively applied to any country’s conditions. The realisation of a harmonious society under socialism and communism can be conflated from an idealistic point of view with Confucianism (Confucianists themselves can only make that conflation). It is important to remember that the Juche philosophy’s idea of a harmonious society where all are free to realise their independence and creativity is something grounded in scientific socialist thought. The harmony attained is of an empirical nature and can be achieved through an objective method. Confucianist harmonisation on the other hand is abstract. It may share some common ideals, for example, the eradication of crime but it cannot, and will not, provide an objective road to achieving such ends. 

CONCLUSION

To conclude, the differences between Juche and Confucianism should now be apparent to the reader. Conflating the two ideas is a reactionary idea which only serves as proof of a lack of understanding of the ideologies. Although they both may make mention of the harmony of society they, as explained, mean two completely different things with two completely different goals, methods and understandings. In the introduction of this analysis the question was asked:

why is one nation’s Confucianist cultural heritage considered a negative aspect of its society whilst the other is hardly ever taken into consideration at all?

 To conflate the two is a foolish criticism which serves no purpose except to give the illusion that the DPRK is some kind of new-age cult like that of Heaven’s Gate or Jonestown. It is only a fear-mongering tactic of the anti-DPRK camp to make the Juche idea and the DPRK as a whole seem like a scary, dangerous and brainwashed place. A place which needs to be smashed in order to achieve human progress. This kind of rhetoric does nothing more than to push the Imperialist interests on the peninsula.

Unfortunately there are socialists and communists who buy into the belief. The reason for this is because the Confucianist ideology does have a strong influence on Korean culture and therefore it is easier to believe when compared to other claims such as ‘You only have five different hair styles’. What is to be done about this? We as communists must push back against the imperialist slanders however we must understand the errors some comrades make. Those comrades must be corrected when they make error in the spirit of collectivism. 

To quote Mao Zedong:

‘Conscientious practice of self-criticism is still another hallmark distinguishing our Party from all other political parties. As we say, dust will accumulate if a room is not cleaned regularly, our faces will get dirty if they are not washed regularly. Our comrades' minds and our Party's work may also collect dust, and also need sweeping and washing. The proverb "Running water is never stale and a door-hinge is never worm-eaten" means that constant motion prevents the inroads of germs and other organisms. To check up regularly on our work and in the process develop a democratic style of work, to fear neither criticism nor self-criticism, and to apply such good popular Chinese maxims as "Say all you know and say it without reserve", "Blame not the speaker but be warned by his words" and "Correct mistakes if you have committed them and guard against them if you have not" - this is the only effective way to prevent all kinds of political dust and germs from contaminating the minds of our comrades and the body of our Party.’

-Mao Zedong, On Coalition Government, Collected Works Vol. III.

We must continue the practice of criticism and self-criticism. Nobody is above it or below it. If you falter, learn from it and correct yourself. If a comrade falters, enter into discussion of why such and such an idea is incorrect. Always enter into discussion with comradeship and objectivity as only the constant motion of debate, discussion, study, struggle, criticism and self-criticism 

 will fight against the forces of reaction.