American Perspectives: Response to "On Preserving the 주체 Character and National

Disclaimer: I am not a supporter or a sympathizer of the DPRK.  I have a profound appreciation for the history and culture of the entire Korean Penninsula, and in order to understand it further, I have to study ALL of it.  Studying all of it includes reading up on the political philosophy of the DPRK.
 
"It is not socialism but capitalism that blocks the road of National Development.  In the capitalist society where the nation is split into hostile classes and individuals' interests are placed above social interests, national unity cannot be achieved, people cannot have the attitudes as befits masters towards the development of the country and the nation, nor can the social wealth be used properly for the common development of the nation.  The exploiting class which owns all means of production and wealth in the capitalist society is interested only in making money.  The reactionary exploiting class does not hesitate to sell out the interests of their country and nation and harm other countries and nations for money making.  It is the immutable nature of imperialism to dominate and plunder other nations." --김종일 "Essential 주체 Works"
 
What I can say, especially in the present day US is: he isn't wrong.  And I really don't like saying that because I want to believe from the bottom of my heart that capitalism is a good and fair system.  That it gives everyone an opportunity to succeed, but it doesn't, and that's what's been making me hurt lately.  People in the US often criticize Korean culture over the phrase: "Know your place," as it's overtly stated.  Funny thing is, in the US, we may not necessarily state it overtly, but we act on it covertly.  If you don't "know your place," the society you're living in will make life very difficult.  Choose to leave corporate America for entrepreunership with only $500 to your name?  It's gonna be one hell of a ride, and let's hope you don't need to go to the doctor or dentist any time soon.
 
However, as charismatic as 김종일's words may be, and as much as they resonate, I have to look at the reality of North Korea, and I'm feeling mentally exhausted with a lot of questions.  As the "reality" of North Korea I've been presented with is either heavily biased out of date cold war propoganda dressed up as a modern news story and/or a harrowing book of leaving the country, or material that is heavily filtered by the North Korean government.  It would be easy to say that it's a no-brainer, North Korea is lying, but because of my own experiences in various Native American and Native Hawaiian communities, I'm rethinking that.  For instance, in many of the Native American Pueblos, there are places that outsiders are not allowed.  It does not mean the Pueblo is doing anything bad, it just means it is their personal space that outsiders aren't privy to.  Same thing with Native Hawaiians.  There are parts of the Islands, and even one entire Island where they specifically don't want outsiders playing around.  It's a reasonable request, as each of these islands are rather small, there are many tourists that come in, and for the love of God, let the locals have a break!  So, these experiences have changed my "common sense" somewhat.  I am glad that I am reading "Essential 주체 Works," as I feel way too many Americans harshly criticize and mock the DPRK, but they don't bother to read any of the first hand material from the other side.  Is it propaganda? Yes.  But so is much of what is presented that is flattering to the US.  I have many Native American friends who will loudly confirm this.  Instead, regarding the DPRK, they read out of date, heavily cold war influenced material, or highly sensationalized refugee narratives, a number of which have been publicly redacted.  According to this article in the Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/13/why-do-north-korean-defector-testimonies-so-often-fall-apart

Why do North Korean defector testimonies so often fall apart?

the payouts received for having extreme stories are pretty high.
 
So, I have to wonder if the DPRK is in the state it's in because the political philosophy is ineffective?  Is it because they have been backed into a corner by the US and UN for opting out of allowing their society to be McDonaldized? (true story, the Kingdom of Hawai'i was overthrown to further the interests of the American sugar industry).  I also mention that because here in the US, we'll help the Native American population with one hand, and then take it all away with the other.  Is it because they measure success by completely different standards? (As I learned in the Russell Means' book "Where White Men Fear to Tread," many Natives do in fact measure family and success by different standards).  In the US, among the white population, success is measured by how much money you have.  I get the impression that the DPRK doesn't have that in their criteria.
 
So, I'm left feeling a bit disoriented because much of the Western Source material has a heavy handed cold war bias, and much of it is even made up, as shown here:https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jun/01/true-or-false-kooky-north-korea-stories

True or false: the 'kooky' North Korea stories they couldn't make up, but did

Material from the DPRK is very slanted, giving off the impression that they are the greatest nation in the world.  Perhaps by their standards, it is.  In the United States, we're often told we're the greatest nation in the world, too.  Or is it simply a motivational tool on a global stage where your allies are few, but your enemies are many?  I fear how people will react to my opinion on the matter, as the DPRK is a majorly sensitive topic in the US.  In the sense that we automatically jump to the conclusion that they are an evil nation based on so little reliable evidence.  I also can't help but speculate that the nation is as isolationist as it is in response to past historical trauma.  Such as the military rule during the mid 고려 Dynasty, being a son in law nation to the Mongols, contending with China on a regular basis, and the Japan occupation.
 
So, I have a lot more reading to do, and two clashing world views to contend with, but as I said before, I'm glad I'm doing it.  Understanding the DPRK also helps in understanding some of the plot points in the 사극 that I watch, as it adds an extra layer of insight, especially when you have the narrative of two best friends on polar opposite sides of the political battle.