컨텐츠영역 fnctId=mtrl,fnctNo=5 The Concept of Rule of Law in North Korean Legal Order List Category North Korea Studies Author/Editor Seohwa Park (North Korean law constitutional law Assistant Professor of IFES) Date of Isste 2023-08-31 Document Through examination of theoretical discussions and practical experiences in the development of legal frameworks, this publication relates how the rule of law, the rule of law state, and related terms have been understood in North Korea. During the initial phase (post-liberation era to the mid-1950s), there is already discernible awareness regarding the significance of law and its functions. During the second phase (late 950s-1990s), the unrestrained use of the term ‘rule of law’ was denounced as revisionist. This period witnessed a reassessment of existing laws, coupled with the declaration of the completion of the socialist transformation of the rural economy, prompting the need for new laws aligned with socialist realities. Consequently, a substantial socialist law-making project was launched in the wake of these legal reforms. During the final phase (the 2000s to the present), the terms ‘rule of law’ and ‘rule of law state’ were positively embraced, albeit within the confines of socialism, through the formalization of the idea of building a socialist rule of law state. Based on this idea of idea of building a socialist rule of law state, improvements were made to the law-making process through the advancement of legislative technology, resulting in the adoption of the “Law-Making Act” on December 19, 2012. However, the ‘Idea of Building a Socialist Rule of Law State’ was replaced by the ‘Idea of Building a People-First Law,’ introduced at the 7th National Conference of Judicial Officials in September 2022. Coincidentally, the use of the term rule of law has become less common. However, it would be presumptuous say that the use these terminologies has ended. It remains to be seen whether North Korea's use of the terms the ‘rule of law’ and ‘building a socialist rule of law state’ will evolve beyond being just an episode in the country's 80-year post liberation history.