Choosing totalitarianism or democracy: analysis of the political regime divide in North and South Korea

The study aims to analyze North Korea's political regime and its main aspects, as well as to study the basics of political life in North and South Korea. The features of the formation of political regimes in North and South Korea and the historical and ideological transformation of the two states are considered. The paper provides conclusions that characterize in detail the political regimes in North and South Korea and highlights commonalities and differences in culture and traditions, and features of mentality in North and South Korea. The political system in North Korea meets the characteristics of a totalitarian political regime. The lack of political competition, the policy of isolation of the country from the “world community”, and the rigid repressive apparatus do not allow North Korea to be regarded as a state with a democratic political regime. South Korea has, under the influence of external factors (American and European), a democratic political system, open in its relations with the external environment; there is a combination of Confucianism and European traditions, and a weak institutional structure. Electoral power, multiparty system and opposition movements have also developed in this country.