The North Korean authorities last week revised the “Ten Principles for the Establishment of the One-Ideology System”.  The change was made to the second principle, which instead of stating “We must honour the Great Leader comrade Kim Il Sung with all our loyalty”, now states “We must honour the Great Leader comrade Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il with all our loyalty”.

 

The Ten Principles, created in 1974 by Kim Jong Il, are memorised by every North Korean citizen.  They outline the structure of the ideological system that underwrites the one-party rule in North Korea.  It is thought that the addition of General Kim Jong Il’s name into the Ten Principles comes in order to solidify the idolisation of Kim Jong Il and to further legitimise the rule of Kim Jong Un, his son and successor.  The revision comes in time for students to study them on returning to school in September.