Juche - Outside North Korea

Outside North Korea

During the Cold War, North Korea promoted Juche and the principle of "self-reliance" as a guide for other countries, particularly Third World countries, to develop their economies. Indonesian president Sukarno visited North Korea in 1964 and attempted to implement the North Korean economic program in his country, but it resulted in a military coup. Romanian president Nicolae Ceauşescu was impressed by ideological mobilization in North Korea during his Asia visit in 1971, and began his systematization campaign shortly afterward with those features.

The North Korean government hosted its first international seminar on the Juche Idea in September 1977. The Korean Central News Agency and the Voice of Korea sometimes refer to statements by Juche study groups in other countries. Two of the most prominent of these groups are International Institute of the Juche Idea in Japan and the Korean Friendship Association, an international organisation presided over by Spanish national Alejandro Cao de Benos de Les y Pérez. Other Juche study groups are not publicized outside of North Korean media and the extent of their activity is therefore unclear. Kim Jong-il emphasized that other countries should not apply Juche formulaically, but should use methods suitable to the situation.