We know all about them, of course, the most oppressive regime on Earth, forbidding the internet, now playing stupid games with ICBMs and nuclear weapons, and regulating even haircuts. What have they to say for themselves?
First, The DPRK is the Juche-oriented socialist state which embodies the idea and leadership of Comrade Kim II Sung, the founder of the Republic and the father of socialist Korea. What does Juche mean? The Juche idea means, in a nutshell, that the masters of the revolution and construction are the masses of the people and that they are also the motive force of the revolution and construction.
The Juche idea is based on the philosophical principle that man is the master of everything and decides everything. It is the man-centred world outlook and also a political philosophy to materialize the independence of the popular masses, namely, a philosophy which elucidates the theoretical basis of politics that leads the development of society along the right path. It seeks independence in politics, selfsufficiency in the economy and self-reliance in national defence. Sexist language indicates sexism, as we will see.
North Korea is a free country recognising human rights, with free elections. People are guaranteed privacy of correspondence- unlike Angela Merkel- and their rights increase as socialism develops. They have freedom of religion. The Workers’ Party of Korea organizes and leads the revolutionary struggle and construction work in Korea in a coordinated way. It assumes full responsibility for the destiny of the entire Korean people. But there are other political parties. It seeks national unification on democratic, federalist lines, but this is blocked by the US. In foreign relations, it seeks independence, peace and friendship free from Imperialist aggression and domination.
Science flourishes, with “a lot of” research institutes and the 
successful launch of a satellite in Juche 87 (1998) though the US and South Korea dispute this, saying no orbit was achieved until 2012. If this makes the national economy more Juche-oriented, we learn more of what Juche means. Literature and art in the DPRK perform a mission as a textbook for life that educates the popular masses in a revolutionary way and inspire them for creative labor and as a weapon for struggle. Women’s costume is particularly graceful and beautiful.…The two long cloth strings are designed for adjusting jogori. They bring the peculiar form of the Korean costume into relief. They rustle rhythmically at any slight movement or in a breeze. When Korean women feel shy, worried or distressed, they often fiddle with the strings, which cover up their awkward movements unaffectedly. The strings not only serve the purpose of fastening jogori and as ornaments but also help women behave and maintain their posture in a natural manner in their daily lives.
Filial piety is epitomised by the tradition of women severing one of their fingers to transfuse their blood to their ailing husbands or parents. A dutiful daughter-in-law looks after her husband’s parents. Kim Jong Il (sic) ensures 80th birthday banquets are sent to those who have worked until their 80th birthday, and reverences his father the eternal president on TV on the Day of the Sun (President Kim Il Sung’s birthday, April 15.), July 8 (the day of the President’s death.), and on New Year’s Day.
Photos by Nicor. This is what Amnesty International has to say.
Clare Flourish 