Life in North Korea: Psychological Insights into the Regime and Those Who Escape

A rogue state that has endured since 1948....what keeps it going?***From writer and PsychCentral contributor Benjamin E Taylor***North Korea remains one of the most reclusive nations in the world. It is governed by a dictatorial regime that has been accused of horrific human rights violations in recent years. The country endures in spite of widespread concerns regarding the regimes nuclear weapons program, and numerous reports of a complex system of Soviet-style prison camps scattered...
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A rogue state that has endured since 1948....what keeps it going?***From writer and PsychCentral contributor Benjamin E Taylor***North Korea remains one of the most reclusive nations in the world. It is governed by a dictatorial regime that has been accused of horrific human rights violations in recent years. The country endures in spite of widespread concerns regarding the regimes nuclear weapons program, and numerous reports of a complex system of Soviet-style prison camps scattered throughout the country.A Psychology of Fear and ControlThe North Korean regime controls every aspect of its citizens' lives, including employment, education, political and religious affiliations, food supply, and accommodation. Dissent is severely punished, and unquestionable loyalty to Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un is required of all citizens. North Korean children are taught that their leader has magical powers, and that their country is the richest in the world. No EscapeDeparting from North Korea is treason. Such an act can be punished by execution or confinement to 're-education' camps. Travel within North Korea itself may be extremely difficult, as permits are often required; meaning that reaching the border can be troublesome. Crossing the border into South Korea is impossible. The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is the most heavily fortified place on the planet - so refugees must cross into China and risk being sent back by the Chinese police - or shot. Re-learning how to LiveNorth Korean refugees who arrive in South Korea undergo extensive rehabilitation so that they can learn how to adapt and function in life outside their alien home country. Adaptation may be difficult however. South Korea is a highly progressive, industrialized and capitalist country - completely unlike what North Koreans are told by the regime. Understandably, North Korean defectors also frequently suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues. The Current BookThe current book sheds light on the North Korea of today - tracing its history back to before the Korean War, and describing Kim Il Sung's machinations that enabled him to achieve ultimate power and establish himself as a living god within the North Korean psyche. A focus also falls on the experiences of North Korean defectors, and how they may have difficulties adjusting to life outside their home country. The following questions are answered in this book:* What is the Juche idea?* Why is the military a huge part of life in North Korea?* Why do North Koreans escape their country?* What is the escape journey like?* How do North Koreans thrive in their new lives?