Military-First Politics Of Kim Jong Il

Political leaders play a dominant role in all aspects of North Korean life, and the change in the top leadership, even if it is a succession from father to son, is an important political change. Now that Kim Jong II has been in power for nearly a decade, it is possible to identify some of the distinguishing characteristics of his governance. A prominent one is the rise of the military in politics. Kim Jong II has replaced the party with the military to govern the country by instituting “military-first” politics. Signs of the rise of the military are everywhere, and the military presence can be felt in all aspects of political and social life. This article examines the characteristics, origins, supporters, and purpose of Kim Jong Il’s “military-first” politics.