북조선 « PUK CO SEN »
— Officially: 조선민주주의인민공화국 « Co Sen Min Cu Cu Øui Øin Min Koŋ Hoa Kuk ».
— English: North Korea.
— Seat of government: 평양 « P‛jeŋ Øjaŋ ».
— Status: Not democratic.
— Structure: Totalitarian state oriented towards adulation of the founding ruler and his heirs.
— Governing parties: 조선 로동당 « Co Sen Lo Toŋ Taŋ »; 조선인민군 « Co Sen Øin Min Kun ».
— Head of government: 김정은 « Kim Ceŋ Øun ».
— Opposition party: No effective opposition.
— Assessment: One of the world’s most atrocious and illiberal states, under a new form of primogeniture monarchy, with founding ruler 김일성 « Kim Øil Seŋ » (1948-94) effecting the succession of his son 김정일 « Kim Ceŋ Øil » (1994-2011), who attempted to effect the succession of his own son, 김정은 « Kim Ceŋ Øun ». The latter succession, however, was the subject of only limited preparation, and it was unclear, after the death of 김정일 « Kim Ceŋ Øil », if his son would eventually consolidate power. The brother-in-law and sister of 김정일 « Kim Ceŋ Øil », 장성택 « Caŋ Seŋ T‛aik » and 김경희 « Kim Kjeŋ Hui », likely had more influence in the beginning, but 장 « Caŋ » was executed in 2013, presumably to eliminate any alternative power to 김정은 « Kim Ceŋ Øun ».
— FH: 7-7, not free. Econ: .86 (167), authoritarian.
— Updated: 2014 October 20.
O.T. FORD