This study explores the formation of the DPRK's doctrine of self-reliance during the 1950s∼1960s and examines the internal and external factors which influenced North Korea’s achievement of autonomy from China and the Soviet Union. The analysis is...
This study explores the formation of the DPRK's doctrine of self-reliance during the 1950s∼1960s and examines the internal and external factors which influenced North Korea’s achievement of autonomy from China and the Soviet Union. The analysis is focused on the impact of the Sino-Soviet conflict and the asymmetrical nature of the relationship among Pyongayng, Beijing, and Moscow from 1953-1966.
The formation of North Korea’s self-reliance doctrine evolved in close connection to its shifting relationship with the Soviet Union and China on the one hand and the Sino-Soviet rift on the other. This process can be divided into three periods. From 1953 to 1956, the grievances arising out of the asymmetry in North Korea’s relationship with China and the Soviet Union prompted the emergence of Juche. During this time, Juche emerged against the backdrop of North Korean grievances with Chinese and Soviet influences domestic affairs, coupled with the intensified power struggle between the ex-guerilla faction headed by Kim Il Sung and the dissidents in the Soviet and Yanan factions. To address these grievances and eliminate Chinese and Soviet influence, Kim Il Sung and the ex-guerilla faction emphasized the struggle against dogmatism and revisionism. At the same time, the North Korean leadership raised vigilance against the great power chauvinism and inequality stemming from its asymmetric relations with the PRC and the USSR. In this connection, the North Korean hierarchy placed increasing priority on self-reliant capabilities.
From 1957 to 1961, the application of Juche was extended to North Korea’s foreign relations. During this period, the North Korean regime achieved rapid economic growth through the promotion of socialist mass movements and further consolidated Kim Il Sung’s one-man rule. However, the Sino-Soviet split, coupled with anti-communist military coup d’etat in South Korea, heightened North Korea’s fear of abandonment by China and the Soviet Union. Such growing anxieties underscored the imperative of securing further commitments from the Soviet Union and China by concluding an alliance treaty. This was thought to be essential to counter the ROK-US and Japan-US alliances. By underscoring the importance of self-reliance and independence in foreign relations, North Korea maintained a neutral position in the Sino-Soviet rift.
From 1962 to 1966, the extended concept of self-reliance and Juche was systematically developed into a doctrine of self-reliance. The complete division of the socialist camp caused by Sino-Soviet split led to the rise of polycentrism in the international communist movement, so a small socialist state such as North Korea would seize the opportunity to expand its autonomy in the camp. North Korea bandwagoned with China for a while, but it was in need of economic and military aid from the Soviet Union and its satellites and became disappointed in China's negative attitude toward forming an anti-imperialism front on the Vietnam War. North Korea decided to normalize the relationship with the Soviet Union and committed itself to a firm stand against any external threats and chaos. Insisting a struggle against dogmatism and revisionism, consolidating the monolithic rule centered on Kim Il Sung, and maintaining a neutral position in the international communist movement contributed to the official proclamation of the self-reliance doctrine as the basic principle of its foreign policy.
With the lapse of time, the international environment provided an opportunity for North Korea to increase its autonomy. As the economy developed and the demands for autonomy became stronger from within, Pyongyang intensified the pursuit of autonomy from Beijing and Moscow. North Korea’s increased autonomy converted the formerly typical asymmetric relations among North Korea, China, and the Soviet Union into atypical relations. The establishment of the self-reliance doctrine can be seen as a notable example of North Korea’s changed relations with the socialist powers. Through the self-reliance doctrine, Kim Il Sung promoted to uphold its own principles in foreign relations and refused to imitate neither Chinese nor Soviet policies. However, by breeding self-imposed isolation, exclusiveness, and nationalism, the self-reliance doctrine hindered North Korea’s national development and undermined its relations with other countries. These negative aspects of North Korea’s doctrine of self-reliance continue to complicate its interaction with the outside world even to this day.