주체시대의 북한시 연구 - 수령 형상을 중심으로

Abstract

I tried to explain the contents; the logic and meaning of 'the figure of great leader’ which is depicted in the North Korean poems of the Juche era in this paper. Juchesasang changes from the criticism on toadyism to a ruling ideology of leader-centricity through the ideology of mobilization on people. It was Kim Jeongil who led this change. As a result, innumerable hymns to pray health and long life of leader and to glorify his greatness, excellence of his leadership and virtues were unceasingly written. But nature of Juchesasang was to strengthen the power of Kim Ilsung and succeed his political power to his son Kim Jeongil successfully. This is the reason why innumerable hymns that glorify the leader and his successor were produced in the Juche era. In these hymns the great leader and his successor were depicted as an omniscient, omnipotent and kind and careful parents of their people. The existence of the great leader was a condition that guaranteed the continuity of revolution. And the successor was necessary for the continuity and final victory of revolution, because it was to be continued from one generation to the following. This logic necessarily led to the theory of 'revolutionary great family' and the perspectives of revolutionary boss which considered the leader as the parents of people and even a brain of revolution. But it demanded the people to convey their soul and subjectivity to the leader, and eventually drive them to the state of nosencephaly. But it cannot be said that all these hymns were written by political compulsion. Rather it may be said that North Korean literature including poems has been in symbiotic relationship with the political leader. In that sense North Korean poets may also be responsible for the sufferings which North Korean people experience as well as North Korean politics and politicians are responsible. In that sense North Korean poets cannot keep themselves away from the accusation that they cheated North Korean people and caused the sufferings of them along with the politicians.