The official name of socialist Korea is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

As its name shows, it values and advocates democracy.

From its early times it introduced democracy of its own style in keeping with the specific situation of the country.

Kim Il Sung (1912-1994), father of socialist Korea, liberated Korea from the Japanese imperialists’ military occupation on August 15, 1945, and put forward democratic lines in accordance with the will, ideas and feelings of the Korean people.

At that time some people advocated the establishment of a bourgeois republic in the country, while others suggested a Soviet-style power to be set up immediately.

But Kim Il Sung took the realty of the country into consideration, where there still existed the remnants of Japanese imperialism and feudal relations and made clear that the only correct road Korea should take is the road to progressive democracy which will make the popular masses the master of the country and give them freedom and a happy life. He also defined the anti-imperialist, anti-feudal democratic revolution as an immediate task facing new Korea.

Following his lines, such democratic reforms as the land reform, nationalization of major industries and enforcement of sex equality were successfully carried out in Korea in a short period of time, and based on such achievements, along with successful establishment of the people's power and the regular armed forces, the DPRK was founded on September 9, 1948.

Democracy of Korean type has developed into a people-centered and socialist democracy, which guarantees equal freedom and rights to all the working people as masters of society, helping and leading each other.

Democracy is politics that comprehensibly deals with the will and desire of the popular masses. In other words, it represents the will and demand of the people in mapping out lines and politics, carries them out in conformity with people's interests, and guarantees the people freedom and rights.

In the DPRK the will of the people is fully taken into consideration in working out lines and policies, which are executed also in keeping with the people's interests.

The constant view the WPK and the DPRK government hold fast to in their activities is that crystallization and systematization of the people's will and desire are the ideology, line and policy.

The land reform was carried out to realize the centuries-old desire of the Korean peasants to do farming on their own land, and the law on sex equality was proclaimed to satisfy women’s wish to lead a life worthy of a human being free from all humiliating social status with no rights.

When the Korean War (1950-1953) launched by the US aggressors reduced the country to ruins, the WPK put forth the main line of socialist economic construction that gives precedence to the heavy industry and simultaneously develops the light industry and agriculture, and the line of cooperative farming.

The large-sized land realignment and gravitational waterways projects conducted in recent years, transforming the country, are all initiated by the WPK General Secretary Kim Jong Il, acquainting himself with the will and interests of the people during his continuous on-the-spot guidance.

The DPRK ensures that the first place is given to the people's interests not only in working out the lines and policies, but also in implementing them.

Right after the liberation of the country it was hard time for Korea, and even a ton of steel counted nationwide. But an outdated electric oven was blasted off without hesitation for the workers’ lives and health.

One year it was confirmed that the Mt. Myohyang area had a large deposit of gold, but its development idea was rejected for fear it would mar the local scenery and disturb the recreational enjoyment of the people.

Magnificent edifices such as the Grand People's Study House and the People's Palace of Culture, were built in downtown Pyongyang, which are favorite haunts of the popular masses.

Branch schools are instituted even for a few pupils on lighthouse islets, and a school train runs for those in a remote mountain village - these are common practices that show the reality of the DPRK where everything is in accordance with people's will and interests.

Socialist Korea guarantees the people freedom and rights.

Every social member is equal in exercising sovereignty and takes part in state governance with the same rights. Ordinary working people, such as workers, farmers and intellectuals, are elected deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly (parliament) and local power organs at all levels to participate in formulating and implementing lines and policies of the state.

The 11^th SPA includes 42.7% workers and farmers and 20.1% women, and 89.5% of the deputies retain academic titles or degrees as scientists, technicians, experts and the like.

The figures show that democracy is ensured on a high level in the state politics.

In the political life there is no privilege in social standings, but all the people enjoy equal political rights and perform equal duties, engaged in free socio-political activities.

All kinds of freedom and rights are firmly guaranteed by law.

The Korean people are provided with all conditions necessary for living, food, clothing and housing from the state and lead an evenly happy life.

They are given stable jobs according to their abilities and aptitudes, thus enjoying creative working life to their heart’s content free from worry of unemployment.

The state supplies dwelling houses to all the people free of charge, and everybody benefits from the free education and medical care system. With the taxation system completely abolished, they find the word “tax” very strange.

The state takes responsible care of the old, the handicapped and the children without parents. War veterans, disabled soldiers and those of meritorious conducts are held in high social esteem.

The secret of socialist Korea that is advancing forward through severe trials and ordeals of history, enjoying an absolute trust and support of the people, is its reality, where democracy is fully exercised.