The North Korean
regime’s predominant claim to legitimacy is the so-called Mt. Baekdu bloodline
which transcends three generations: Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, and Kim Jong Eun.
The Baekdu bloodline began with Kim Il
Sung, a concept inextricably linked to his anti-Japan guerilla movement. However,
what if Kim’s anti-Japan actions are not as significant as the regime would have
others believe? What if the people of North Korea discover this history to be
nothing more than utter distortion?
The relationship between Kim Il Sung and Choi Hyun during the
Japanese colonial era, as well as Kim’s Korean War actions, pose major
questions as to the legitimacy of the Baekdu bloodline. In reality, Kim is
widely known to have shifted blame of his war failures onto other and his role
in the anti-Japan resistance greatly exaggerated.
Recently, the regime has been
trying to breathe new life into the Baekdu bloodline myth by presenting the
father-son pair, Choi Hyun and Choe Ryong Hae, as a paradigm of unwavering
loyalty to the regime.
Choi Hyun embodied this dedication by doing
his utmost to establish Kim Il Sung’s authority; Choi Ryong Hae presents as a
modern version through expressions of allegiance to Kim Jong Eun. The regime emphasizes
this “loyalty through the generations” to encourage the North Korean elite and
residents alike to follow suit.
North Korean citizens continue to maintain
high opinions of Choi Hyun, even 30 years after his death. Jang Yong Chul, who
defected to the South in 2000, is one such example. Jang was born in 1950 in
Pyongyang, graduated from Kim Il Sung Politics University, and worked as an
officer for 35 years. He states that up to the time of his defection, the people
revered and admired Choi Hyun. Whereas most senior military officials only wore
new clothes in the belief that doing otherwise would render them insignificant,
Choi tried to present himself as an ordinary laborer throughout his life.
Another defector called Choi Hyung Cheol [pseudonym],
considers Choi Hyun a principle-oriented soldier, tackling problems with
bull-like ferocity and stubbornness with little room for deviation.
Other defectors heard about Choi Hyun
through their parents. Lee Chang Bok, a professor of revolutionary history,
died last year in North Korea. His daughter defected and came to the South in
2008,bringing with her the knowledge of Choi Hyun her father imparted to
her. She states that at the time Choi was the true leader and held considerably
more power than Kim Il Sung, a fact absent from the regime’s revisionist history.
Most remember Choi as a genuine soldier, his
name associated with loyalty, obedience, and sacrifice. These nostalgic
sentiments make it no surprise that the regime has given him such a large role
in attempts to resuscitate the myth of the Mt. Baekdu bloodline.
The regime’s attempts to bolster support for
its methods through the bloodline myth are unlikely to experience much success
with the disenchanted population. Will Choe Ryong Hae model his father and
leave the legacy of faithful servant to the regime? Or, if he finds himself a target, will he follow the
example of Jang Sung Taek and take certain actions before becoming another proverbial sacrificial lamb?
* Views expressed in Guest Columns do not
necessarily reflect those of Daily NK. This Guest Column first appeared in
Korean on August 1, 2014.
