Kim Il Sung | The Dictator's Playbook

Overview

• The documentary covers the rise of Kim Il Sung from a guerrilla fighter to the dictator of North Korea.
• Explores how he established a regime that has lasted for three generations, marked by control and repression.

The Journey to Power

• Legendary Guerrilla Fighter:

  • Fought against Japanese occupation of Korea in the 1930s.
  • His early exploits were used to build a cult of personality once he became ruler of North Korea.

• Consolidation of Power:

  • Purged rivals and former comrades.
  • Gained support by redistributing land to poor farmers.
  • Established a hereditary dynasty to ensure the continuation of his regime.

The Dictatorial Legacy

• North Korea remains an extremely controlled society with an ongoing cult of personality.
• An estimated 100,000 people are imprisoned in gulags.
• His grandson, Kim Jong Un, continues to rule North Korea under the same principles.

Cultural and Historical Context

• Korean culture historically valued obedience to powerful rulers and was influenced by Confucian ideals.
• These cultural elements made Kim Il Sung's authoritarian regime seem consistent with historical norms.
• While South Korea moved towards democracy, North Korea remained a totalitarian state.

Additional Resources

• Books for Further Reading:
  • "The Accusation: Forbidden Stories from Inside North Korea" by Bandi.
  • "A Kim Jong-Il Production" by Paul Fischer.
  • "From Stalin to Kim Il Sung" by Andrei Lankov.
  • "Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader" by Bradley K. Martin.

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