선군정치 시대의 당-군 관계 연구: 핵심 엘리트의 위상 변화를 중심으로

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to reexamine party-military relations in the ‘military-first era’ of North Korea with a focus on the power change of core elites. Under the contemporary policy, the power of military has been remarkably intensified. In addition, we can easily verify that the position of military elite group has been considerably promoted to a higher rank. Nevertheless, this study finds it necessary to analyze whether the reinforcement in the military group really affects a reversion in the party-military relations as had been noted by preceding studies. Therefore the analysis was focused on the following: 1) the degree of control by party organs within the military circles; 2) the status and role of KWP elites among military authorities; and equally important, 3) the degree of control by military organs within the party; and 4) the status and role of military personnels in the party. Also an important factor was the changing ratio between the two groups at on-the-spot guidance and banquets of brain trusters. Analysis on the aforementioned criteria was based on a method different from previous studies. It was conducted with a more detailed and strict classification of the categories of the party and military groups. As a result, this study found that the party still remains in a superior position compared to the military group in spite of the military-first policy which has been deemed as a unique ideology belonging to the Kim Jong il era. In order to cope with urgent adversities at home and abroad, North Korea put forward its military allowing the rise of military elites to be distinctively observed. However, in conclusion, this should not be interpreted as a power shift from the party to the military group.