Songbun System Classifies Entire Population by Family Loyalty

A May 1957 Workers' Party Politburo resolution created songbun, a system classifying every North Korean family into "core," "wavering," or "hostile" loyalty categories — later subdivided into 51 grades — based on what relatives had done before and during the Korean War, including whether they had fled south or collaborated with Japan. Songbun determines access to food, education, housing, party membership, and career prospects, is passed down through generations, and remains in force today.