Angela Kim writes:
Title: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea, not South)
As we talk about the communist regime in North Korea and how the Soviet has influenced that regime both in class (as the professor mentioned specifically today) and in the text, some may wonder why North Korea, of all countries, has its name so contradictory to its form of government. We all know that it is actually the farthest possible from a democratic country, with two consecutive generations of dictatorship and another one yet to come. The verdict is that the good old Soviet influence was not only conceptual but also nominal-- in the sense that it influenced the shape of NK's name as well. Well, there's three parts to the name: the "Democratic," the "People," and the "Republic." Starting from the last one, the "Republic" comes from the turn of history marking the end of the Russian Empire, the end of a monarchic rule. The "People," of course, refers to the socialist principle that was prevalent through the totalitarian governments during the Cold War Period. The last one, "Democratic," comes from the overall dedication of the government for the "people" in support for the riddance of classes. In relating the "people" aspect, they came up with the "Democratic" to insert into its name. And so, the big name The Democratic People's Republic of Korea was formed. Next time you read its name hopefully you won't be as confused.
Title: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea, not South)
As we talk about the communist regime in North Korea and how the Soviet has influenced that regime both in class (as the professor mentioned specifically today) and in the text, some may wonder why North Korea, of all countries, has its name so contradictory to its form of government. We all know that it is actually the farthest possible from a democratic country, with two consecutive generations of dictatorship and another one yet to come. The verdict is that the good old Soviet influence was not only conceptual but also nominal-- in the sense that it influenced the shape of NK's name as well. Well, there's three parts to the name: the "Democratic," the "People," and the "Republic." Starting from the last one, the "Republic" comes from the turn of history marking the end of the Russian Empire, the end of a monarchic rule. The "People," of course, refers to the socialist principle that was prevalent through the totalitarian governments during the Cold War Period. The last one, "Democratic," comes from the overall dedication of the government for the "people" in support for the riddance of classes. In relating the "people" aspect, they came up with the "Democratic" to insert into its name. And so, the big name The Democratic People's Republic of Korea was formed. Next time you read its name hopefully you won't be as confused.
Source: http://www.slate.com/id/2215156/
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