[imText1]North Korean defectors have said Kim Jong Il Museums have been built throughout North Korea.
Kim Il Sung Museums are located in every city, province and district and Kim Jong Il Museums have been built inside the Kim Il Sung Museum. However, Kim Jong Il Museums have been built separately in recent years.
It seems that this might be a realistic attempt to replace Juche Ideology (Kim Il Sung Ideology) in the era of Kim Il Sung with the ‘Military First Ideology’ by Kim Jong Il.
Ms. Jeon Young Ok (North Korean defector, 52) who used to work at the Kim Il Sung Research Institute at △△ district, Hamhung, South Hamkyong Province said ‘The Kim Jong Il Museum was built right next to a statue of Kim Il Sung at Donghungsan district, Hamhung city in April 2003.’
Her statement implies that Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung Research Institutes have been separated, which used to be one. It seems that this might be an indication to replace Juche Ideology which was the ruling ideology in North Korea with Military First Ideology which used to be just a direction in policy.
Ms. Jeon said, “In the Museum, Kim Jong Il’s activities related to Hamhung city were displayed, and factories, companies and residents were ordered to visit in groups.”
It has also been implied that Kim Jong Il Museums have been built in rural areas outside the cities. Ms. Jeon said, “Kim Jong Il Museum with a beautiful traditional style roof was built in Sudong district, Hamhung city.”
Therefore, it seems that Kim Il Sung Research Institute will educate about the accomplishments of Kim Il Sung who is a symbolic leader, and Kim Jong Il Museums will research and educate about Military First Ideology.
Can ‘Military First Ideology’ Replace ‘Juche Ideology’?
Until recently, the only Kim Jong Il Museum was located at the Kim Il Sung University.
Idolization of Kim Jong Il started when Kim Jong Il who became a successor of Kim Il Sung in the early 1970s, was called upon as “Dear Leader” After 1980s, Kim Jong Il Research Institutes were built in the Kim Il Sung Research Institute.
However, the fact that Kim Jong Il Museums are built separately shows that the process to idolize Kim Jong Il has taken off. Before, there was much hesitation and Kim Il Sung was praised as the Eternal leader after he died in July 1994.
After Kim Il Sung died, Kim Jong Il ruled North Korea with ‘Military First Policy’ where he put military before everything else. Recently, the term ‘Military First Ideology’ has been found in North Korean propaganda.
Juche Ideology was called “Kim Il Sung Ideology” in February 1974 by Kim Jong Il. It opens up the possibility that Kim Jong Il might officially name the Military First Ideology “Kim Jong Il Ideology” in the future.
