Kim Jongil Militaryfirst Leadership

Kim Jong-il's military-first leadership, also known as Songun (Korean: 선군; literally "military-first"), was the policy prioritizing the Korean People's Army over the civilian economy and party affairs in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). The term was coined by Kim Jong-il himself, and the policy was officially adopted by the Workers' Party of Korea in 1998. Under this doctrine, the military was not only the primary recipient of state resources but also played a significant role in political decision-making and economic management. The Songun policy was a departure from the previous Juche ideology, which emphasized self-reliance and economic development. This shift was largely attributed to the economic hardships faced by North Korea in the 1990s, including widespread famine. The Songun policy has been criticized for exacerbating the country's economic isolation and contributing to its nuclear weapons program. Translations of Songun include סונגון in Hebrew, Songun in Russian, and Songun in Japanese.