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- About the creation of North Korea
- What Juche philosophy is
- The function of the caste system
- How people managed to flee the country
Table of contents
first KEY POINT
The meddling activities of the US government split Korea in two
Before World War II and the consequent collapse of the Japanese Empire, the Korean peninsula was a Japanese colony with no global significance. However, following the war’s end, the United States and USSR focused on this unknown territory in a struggle to promote their ideologies. The US feared an advance on Korea by the USSR to seize Japan — they gave the northern region to the USSR as a temporary trusteeship and kept the southern half for themselves.The borderline of the peninsula happened to be at the 38th parallel, and the Koreans had no say in that decision. They shifted from one superpower (Japan) to another (the USSR and the US).
The division between South and North Korea was arbitrary; nothing in Korean history indicated a border there.
The North, led by Kim Il-sung, became the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Consequently, the South became the Republic of Korea under the leadership of Syngman Rhee. Two years later, in 1950, both Korean countries claimed the entire Korean peninsula. This clash of interests resulted in the Korean War. On June 25, Kim Il-sung launched a surprise attack on South Korea and took Seoul, the capital city. The North Korean leader exploited Soviet tanks for the invasion.Several countries came to the aid of South Korea, including the US and 15 other nations. As a result, the coalition was able to roll back Kim Il-sung’s advances. At this time, Kim Il-sung also received support from the Chinese army.This summary provides a glimpse into life in North Korea through the lens of people who escaped the dictatorship. The aim is to help individuals from the outside world better understand the hardships of North Korean citizens and why it is so difficult for them to break free.
second KEY POINT
The caste system is the bedrock of North Korean society
At the end of the three-year Korean War, Kim Il-sung declared himself president of North Korea and adopted communism.
He built his government on rewards and penalties. He granted those he considered loyal privileges and meted out deep-reaching punishments to those suspected of being against him. His tool was a caste system that divided the citizenry into three levels:• The core class was at the top of the social structure. It consisted of high-ranking military officers, party members, and those who had demonstrated unwavering loyalty to Kim Il-sung during the Civil War. Most members of this group lived in the capital city.
• The wavering class comprised individuals with exemplary records who were likely to turn against the government. Those in this rank included Koreans who had returned from Japan and former members of the core class.
• The hostile class contained religious people, Koreans formerly sympathetic to South Korea, and political suspects. Individuals convicted of political crimes from the core and wavering classes also ended up here. Members of this caste could not travel to the capital city without special permission. They also couldn’t reside in the southern regions with better conditions for agriculture.Your class determined where you would stay, the level of education you and your children could aspire to, and the career choices available to you. Kids inherited the caste position of their parents, and there was no way for them to move upward on the social pyramid — the rank was either permanent or going downward. For example, people within the hostile class stayed there forever.Class also mattered when it came to eating. You could obtain food at distribution centers. Here, you would exchange money, and the government issued coupons for food items. However, money only counted for little, as each class had a minimum provision available to its members. Even nowadays, North Koreans do not know about the caste system; they barely communicate with the representatives of other groups. Suspicions may arise as people constantly face discrimination and roadblocks to obtaining a decent education or job position.
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first KEY POINT
Juche doctrine is one of the pillars of tyranny in North Korea
second KEY POINT
Kim Il-sung desired to be the idol of North Koreans
third KEY POINT
The collapse of the USSR meant the downfall of a dependent North Korea
fourth KEY POINT
Black markets gradually replaced food distribution centers
fifth KEY POINT
Defection was the last resort for desperate North Koreans
sixth KEY POINT
Conclusion
Related summaries
Frequently asked questions
What is Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea about?
Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea, written by Barbara Demick, explores the everyday realities of life under the North Korean regime through the lives of six defectors. This gripping narrative highlights the resilience and struggles faced by ordinary citizens against a backdrop of oppression and deprivation.
Is Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea worth reading?
Absolutely! Nothing to Envy offers profound insights into the human experiences within one of the most secretive nations in the world, making it not only informative but also deeply moving. Demick's engaging storytelling brings attention to the resilience of the human spirit, making it a worthwhile read for anyone interested in North Korea or humanitarian stories.
How many pages is Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea and when was it published?
Nothing to Envy spans approximately 300 pages and was published on February 2, 2009. This length and the book's detailed accounts contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the dire conditions in North Korea.
What are the key takeaways from Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea?
Key takeaways from Nothing to Envy include the stark contrast between the North Korean regime's propaganda and the harsh realities of its citizens' lives, as well as the immense courage of defectors who seek freedom. The book emphasizes themes of survival, hope, and the importance of personal narratives in understanding global issues.
What makes Barbara Demick an authoritative voice on North Korea in Nothing to Envy?
Barbara Demick is an experienced journalist who has reported extensively on North Korea, lending her work, including Nothing to Envy, significant credibility and depth. Her access to defectors and her ability to weave their stories into a compelling narrative enhance her authority on the subject.