A small story in the Citizen but the historical implications are huge.
North Korea formally ditches communism!
Granted, communism has been barely a fig leaf in North Korea for years but still, who's is left "officially" communist?
China and Cuba?
Cuba may have some claim to remain communist but China's communism is pretty thin. Perhaps they too will drop the pretence?
The story:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/mobile/news/world-news/North+Korea+drops+communism+boosts+Dear+Leader/2042348/story.html
In a constitutional revision on Monday, the despotic state dropped the term "communism" while elevating Kim's status as Dear Leader.
...
Though there is little doubt over the 67-year-old Kim's power, secured by his role as chairman of the National Defence Commission, the new constitution removes any risk of ambiguity.
"The chairman is the highest general of the entire military and commands the entire country," according to a text of the constitution enacted by the reclusive North ... .
The chairman is now the country's "supreme leader". Though the position had become the seat of power under Kim, the previous constitution in 1998 simply said the chairman oversees matters of state.
...
But the Unification Ministry said the new charter removes all reference to communism, the guiding ideology when Kim's father Kim Il-sung founded North Korea — of which since his death in 1994 he has been eternal president.
Often in its place is "songun", the policy of placing the military first and which has been Kim junior's ruling principle.
South Korean media quoted an official from the North as saying that it made the change because it felt the ideals of communism are "hard to fulfil".
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James Morton
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