This is the second part of a two-part series examining the similarities – and differences – between North Korea and the superpower which created it. You can read part one here.

The major ideological difference between the DPRK and the USSR is North Korea’s de facto rejection of a concept of communism. In the Soviet Union, “communism” meant the future utopia the country officially strived to build; it was the justification of its very existence. In North Korea, the very word “communism” is no longer mentioned and the state simply states that they need to protect status quo under the leadership of the Brilliant Marshal.