North Korea has a government that is officially called the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and is defined as a socialist state under a totalitarian dictatorship. It is a one-party state dominated by the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), which controls all political power and governance structures
. Key characteristics of North Korea's government include:
- Totalitarian Dictatorship: The state is governed under a centralized, one-party system with absolute control by the WPK and its leader, currently Kim Jong Un, who holds multiple top positions including General Secretary of the WPK and Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, the highest governing body
- One-Party Rule: The WPK is the ruling party and exercises legislative, executive, and judicial powers. Other minor parties exist but are subordinate to the WPK and do not function as opposition
- One-Man Rule and Dynastic Leadership: Power is highly centralized in Kim Jong Un, continuing a dynastic succession from his grandfather Kim Il Sung and father Kim Jong Il. The leadership is characterized by a "monolithic ideological system" centered on the Kim family
- Government Structure: The government consists of three branches—executive (Cabinet and State Affairs Commission), legislative (Supreme People's Assembly), and judicial—but these branches are not independent and are controlled by the party leadership. Elections are non-competitive with single-candidate races approved by the WPK
- Constitutional Definition: The constitution describes North Korea as a "dictatorship of people's democracy" and a socialist state, but civil and political rights are subordinate to maintaining the political and ideological unity under the party's leadership
In summary, North Korea operates as a highly centralized, authoritarian communist state under a totalitarian dictatorship led by the Workers' Party of Korea and the Kim family, with no genuine political pluralism or independent governance institutions
