북한의 사회주의적 민족문화 건설과 ‘우리 식’ 고전문학

The Identity of North Korean Culture and 'Our Way(woorishik)' of Classical Literature

Being formulated under the KWP(Korean Workers' Party)'s initiative, the cultural policy in North Korea has been changed in accordance with the times and specific situations. The classical literature in North Korea aims not to analyse the meanings of the classics themselves, but to find their practical applications, namely to meet a purpose of educating the people at the times of Juche. According to this rule, North Korean classics have been construed in 'our way,' which revises the problems of the classical novels. The adaptation of classical literature of North Korea has been based on the Party's literary ideology, having an intention to expose the contradictions and irrationality of the old exploitative hierarchy system and to emboss the values of labor by expressing the worker's consciousness. In case of the class issues, especially, it emphasizes the humanity of the lower class people and expressly discloses the contradictoriness of social stratification based on the economic wealth, by dealing with the issue of class conflicts at the level of the entire society rather than individuals. Observing the classic literature of North Korea exists in 'our way,' this study inquires into the cultural policies of North Korea and the principles of creation and acceptance of national cultural inheritance. This study also suggests the followings as important points to be attended to understand North Korea's literature and art. First, any discussions on the culture of South and North Koreas should be preceded by securing homogeneity of concept and language between the two. Second, studies on the literature and culture of North Korea should be based on understanding of socio-political situations in North Korea. Third, the North Korean literature should be understood as the fundamental rather than a sub-category of the North Korean culture. Fourth, studies on the classic literature of North Korea should be backed up by correct recognition of traditional culture.