Totalitarianism is referred to as an authoritarian form of government with complete political, legal, social and cultural power over civilians. A popular example of an extreme totalitarian regime is Hitler's regime. Germany was ruled under simultaneous authorities of power such as the civil service, the SA, the SS and the Nazi Party. The concentration camps and gas chambers were prime examples of the extremity of arbitrary power and totalitarianism put into action. North Korea is amongst the few countries that continue to follow this form of government. The beginning of totalitarianism in North Korea traces back to Kim Il-Sung. He ruled the country based on his personal philosophy of "Juche" (self-reliance), which he used to justify his political decisions. Following his death in 1994, his son, Kim Jong Il, succeeded his rule, applying the same philosophy in his leadership. However, after Kim Jong Il's recent death in 2011, his son, Kim-Jong Un, has inherited his leadership role and continues to execute coercive power over the population. The civilians are deprived from their human rights and freedom of speech, information, assembly, movement.
Freedom of movement:
North Korean civilians are denied the right to freedom of movement. They are subject to severe travel restrictions. According to Amnesty International's Annual Report 2012, the thousands of North Korean civilians who have fled to China in an attempt to find food and employment have been caught and forcible extradited back to North Korea by Chinese authorities, and then beaten and detained.
Control over media:
All forms of media are controlled with severe punishment as a result of unauthorized access to non-state radio or TV broadcasts. Television content is limited to broadcasts of hagiographies of the two leaders and images praising and celebrating the country's army, model farms, model villages.
Control over legal system:
North Korean civilians are not given the right to a fair trial. The legal system follows the process of interrogation and then execution or being sent to forced labour camps. The ruling Worker's Party of Korea appoints and maintains strict control over the judiciary, including the prosecutors, judges, lawyers, all jury members and count clerks. There
