The "Socialist Revolution" in the North Korean Countryside

Abstract

Major changes have been taking place in the North Korean countryside since the end of the Korean war. The process of initiated in 1953 (the year of the truce) has been pushed in a most determined fashion. By the end of 19585 the entire North Korean countryside was under strict party regimentation. Our purpose here is to examine the process of cooperativization with particular emphasis upon its motives, implementation, socio-political significance, and future prospects. Let us first clarify the meaning of the term cooperative. Although the North Korean regime has consistently used the term in describing the socialization program in the countryside, in fact, there have been three types of cooperatives, each quite distinct in its socio-political and economic characteristics. The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea issued a Directive Concerning the Organization of Cooperative Economy in January 1954, defining the three types of agricultural cooperatives:1 The first type was defined as the permanent mutual aid team, the most primitive form of rural socialism. Throughout the year, including the off-farming seasons, each member of the team was supposed to render services to other members whenever the demand arose. Work was to be done in common, but the land, draft animals, and farm implements were to remain under private ownership. This type, as well as the second type of cooperative, was regarded as preparatory for a higher stage. And as preparation for this progression, the mutual aid teams were required to accumulate common funds, carry out constructions in common, and operate subsidiary or sideline projects in common. The second type of cooperative has been regarded by the North Korean regime as a semisocialistic system. Under this type, the farmers contribute their land and labor for common production, but theoretically the land is still their private property. They are also allowed to retain some fruit trees and garden plots for themselves. After the harvest, the cooperative deducts a certain proportion of the produce to pay for seeds, fertilizer, use of machines and irrigation facilities, other production expenses, tax-in-kind (22.4%/c until 1959 when it was reduced to 8.4%) ,2 for