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... comm established in the society. " (p 179) There was nothing outside the sphere of China, and one accepted their place. People accepted their place, perhaps because they could see nothing outside that. In North Korea, as far as the common citizens know, there is nothing outside the DPR. They accept their place because they believe they suffer for the good of their nation. The privileged live a life of ease, such as Jong Il's reported three official residences and four private villas.
The common people have barely enough to eat, if that. Susan Lawrence states in "Inside the Hermit Kingdom that "[t]his display of privilege does not rouse public ire... " (p 54) The indoctrination is complete, and so the system survives. The Three Kings Having looked into the dynastic cycle of China and how certain aspects are reflected in the Democratic People's Republic. Looking into the rulers themselves also provides some interesting similarities.
To do this, it seems relevant to make this comparison using Wan-Li, one of the most well known, yet most eccentric emperors of the Ming Dynasty. This is not to debate the actual leadership abilities of either of the Kim's, but to show similarities in style and power. Wan-Li, also known as Chu I-Chun or his posthumous name, Hsien, ruled China between 1573 to 1620. He was the thirteenth emperor of the Ming line and came to power when he was nine. His reign was the longest since Han Wu-ti, who ruled from 141 to 87 B. C.
His reign "is remembered chiefly for administration reforms promoted by Chang Chu-cheng in the first ten years, rancorous factional controversies at court thereafter at court thereafter, unprecedented interference by eunuchs in provincial administration, elaborate construction projects and extravagant production of cloisonn'e and polychrome porcelain wares... " (Biography, p 324 - 5). As with Kim Il Sung, who accomplished a "total production goal in 1950 [of] 230 percent" and had made agricultural reforms which solved food shortages "which had always existed up to that time (A History of Korea, p 85) " and thereby made the North self-sufficient, Wan Li's administration was able to achieve numerous reforms and economic achievements in the first decade of his rule: "Manufacturing flourished under state and private auspices alike; and trade on regional, interregional, and national scales was esteemed and profitable to a degree not reached since the thirteenth century. (Bio, p 325) However, while Kim Il Sung had the Soviet government trying to steer him in the early part of his reign, Wan Li had Chang Chu-cheng, the senior grand secretary, and Fang Pao, the chief eunuch, both of whom were able to maneuver their way in the administration due to Wan Li's mother, Li-shih. (Biography, p 325, 1587) Also, in the initial stage their perspective rule, both were able to consolidate power and territory effectively. Kim immediately set about disposing threats to his position and makes the military into an effective tool, as seen through the events leading to the Korean War (North Korean Comm, p 101 - 132). Wan Li, was able to dismiss or demote officials that questioned his administration and through skilled generals, was able to secure the borders against the Mongols. (Biography, p 325) However, this period faded, much like the first decade of Wan Li's rule which was "perhaps the most peaceful, prosperous and stable of the Ming. " (Biography, p 325) There are also numerous similarities between Kim Jong Il and Wan Li. Wan Li, and the Ming emperors in general, are known for being headstrong and temperamental. Jong Il shows these traits as well.
When Wan Li's father passed away, he observed the traditional Confucian mourning period. When Il Sung passed away, Jong Il followed this same tradition, though slightly longer before taking power in name. The article "Slim Jim" (the Economist, p 37) states that "[Kim Jong Il] is playing on the Confucian tradition that a son should not take on big responsibilities immediately after the death of his father. ' Also, Kim Il Jong "has ritually 'become one with his father'" by not living in the same residence where his father is enshrined and not building a new residence for himself (NK Under, p 4). The assembly hall, where Il Sung's body is entombed, "has become a palace, the palace a shrine, and the shrine the symbolic seat of power for a new political dynasty. " (NK Under, p 20) In his later years, Wan Li became reclusive, refusing to even attend ceremonies and administrative meetings. (Bio, 326) Another characteristic is temperament. "In 1595, a total of thirty-four censorial officials...
were demoted, fired, or otherwise punished in one burst of the Emperor's anger. " (NK Comm LDR, p 146 - 148) The Dear Leader is also known for his reclusiveness. Linton puts him in as the "world's wackiest ruler-in-waiting, " before he became the leader, of course. Kim Jong Il is also known for losing his temper tantrums and on-the-spot executions. (North Korea Under the Son, p 3) Perhaps a lesson may now be learned by Kim Jong Il, DPRK's "proud, prickly and paranoid leader (Hidden, p 37), " from looking at the "extravagant corruption (Biography, p 325) " preceding the decline of the Ming Empire: ... ruinous tax increases or extortion had driven large numbers of people into banditry or rebellion in all parts of the empire, and the state coffers were nevertheless drained; posts in both central and provincial government agencies were vacant as often as not, and officials on duty were locked in partisan antagonisms that almost paralyzed the government. (Bio, p 325) Another message that the Ming Dynasty left behind in the "Commentary on the Ming Code" may be pertinent: It is to be feared that many meritorious officials will use their power to obtain fields and mansions on a wide scale, and take possession of the population (The Pattern of Korean Past, p 236). Conclusion With approach of the 20 th Century, we can speculate all we wish about the North Korea's future.
However, what is important to realize is the issue is much deeper than mere economics and political maneuvering. The regime of the DPRK has centuries of dynastic rule to work with and an impoverished people that know little of the outside world. We should not take the approach that North Korea is on the verge of collapse or that a little political or economic pressure will bring North Korea to the bargaining table. Having taken a look into the DPRK from this perspective, perhaps it may be a little easier to understand its motives and desires. The Western World has a tendency to view North Korea as a backwards Third World country, a potential threat due to chemical and possibly nuclear weapons, and an impoverished communist nation on the verge of collapse. And North Korea wants to be seen as anything but this.
Without common ground, there is no way to barter or even understand each other. Perhaps a new approach is necessary, and a look into the deeper influences of dynastic rule may be a start. The similarities presented in this paper may provide that beginning. Bibliography China: A Country Study. Washington. D.
C. : U. S. Government Printing Office, 1988. Hatada, Takahashi. A History of Korea. Santa Barbara, CA.
ABC-China Press, 1969. Dictionary of Ming Biography (VolI A-L). N. Y. , N. Y.
Columbia Univ. Press, 1976. Phillips, Andrew. 'Hidden Hunger: An Isolated Nation Faces Worsening Future'. (Mean's, May 19, 1997 v 110 n 20 p 37) Schell, Orville. 'In the Land of the Dear Leader'. (Harper's Magazine, July 1996 v 203 n 1754 p 58 - 9). Pico, User. 'In the Land of a Single Tune'. (Time, Nov 26, 1990 v 136 n 23 p 48 - 9). 'Signs of Trouble in the Perfect Land'. (the Economist, April 15, 1989 v 311 n 7598 p 38). Lawrence, Susan V... 'Inside the Hermit Kingdom'. (U.
S. News and World Report, Sep 19, 1994 v 117 n 11 p 53 - 56). 'Slim Kim: North Korea'. (The Economist (US), Sep 17, 1994 v 332 n 7881 p 37). McCarthy, Terry; 'Who Is Kim Jong Il?' . (World Press Review, Sep 1994 v 41 n 9 p 18 - 9). 'A World Without Kim'. (Time, Jul 18, 1994, v 144 n 3 p 28). Linton, Stephen W. 'North Korea Under the Son' (The Washington Quarterly, Spring 1996 c 19 n 2 p 3 - 10). Kim, Samuel S. 'North Korea in 1995; The Crucible of "Our Style Socialism"'. (Asian Survey, Jan 1996 v 36 n 1 p 61 - 67). 'Kim the Father, Kim the Son'. (The Economist (US), Jun 3, 1995 v 335 n 7917 p 56 - 9).
Cummings, Bruce. 'Feeding the North Korean Myth'. (The Nation, Sep 29, 1997 p 22 - 3). 'Inside the Hermit Kingdom'. (Time, May 30, 1983 v 121 p 34 - 5). Huang, Ray. 1587, A Year of No Significance. New Haven and London, Yale Univ. Press, 1981. 'Through the Looking Glass'. (The Economist, Jul 10 - 16, 1999 p 11 - 14). Nam, Koon Woo. The North Korean Communist Leadership, 1945 - 65.
University, AL, University of Alabama Press, 1974. Elvin, Mark. The Pattern of Chinese Past. Stanford, CA. Stanford Univ. Press, 1973.
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