Life Review Session
A Life Review Session refers to a gathering where North Korean residents reflect on their work and personal/professional lives in their affiliated party, institution, or labor group on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis, and mutually critique each other.
In its early days, the Life Review Session was held once a month, and participation was not strictly enforced. However, after the onset of the sole regime in 1967, the Life Review Session became more stringent. North Korea strengthened internal control in opposition to the establishment of a monolithic ideological system and the detente atmosphere in the international community. As a part of this, the party's organizational life system was restructured, intensifying the Life Review Session. The most significant change in this process was the institutionalization of the party life review. Kim Jong-il's established "New System for Life Review Session" was much more stringent and strict compared to the early days.
In the "New System for Life Review Session", Life Review Sessions were meticulously organized, grouping 10 to 15 people together, similar to a party cell. Every North Korean resident was obliged to participate in the Life Review Session. Though the Life Review Session may seem trivial and routine, it became a means to thoroughly control and dominate the daily lives of North Korean citizens. In April 1974, one of the "Ten Principles for the Establishment of a Monolithic Ideological System" explicitly stated active participation in the Life Review Session.
From the second grade of elementary school, one must mandatorily join a political organization, and thereafter, everyone, regardless of age or gender, must participate in the Life Review Session. Party members participate in their respective party cells, while non-party youths join the 'Socialist Patriotic Youth League', younger members join the youth organization, women join the Socialist Women's Union of Korea, workers join the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, and farmers join the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea.
North Korean diplomats and students abroad are also obliged to participate in the Life Review Session. Each embassy and trade representative office has temporary party cells or league organizations, so any North Korean abroad must partake in these sessions. The Life Review Session involves self-criticism and mutual criticism, where individuals reflect on and criticize their mistakes. Whether it's a party organization or a labor group, the nature and method are the same.
Kim Il-sung emphasized that excelling in self-criticism and mutual criticism is the best weapon to elevate party character and repeatedly stressed the importance of criticism. Kim Jong-il institutionalized the Life Review Session in the context of establishing a succession system. Through this, the Life Review Session was used as a powerful control mechanism to fully entangle residents ideologically within the organization.
The current Life Review Session in North Korea, due to the cracks in the collectivist society, is more ceremonial compared to the past, and its authenticity has faded. However, considering that North Korean residents are forced to participate in organizational activities, including the Life Review Session, throughout their lives, the significance of the Life Review Session in North Korean society remains valid and is still utilized as a means to control the entire population.