Tables = vi Abbreviations = vii Preface = ix 1 The origins of the guerilla tradition = 1 2 The political institutions of the Democratic People's Republtc of Korea = 28 3 The emerging tyranny, 1958-70 = 57 4 Setbacks to socialism, 1970-80 = 80 5 The confirmation of Kim Jong Il, 1980-83 = 105 6 Signs of reform, 1984-86? = 131 7 The Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the collapse of the Soviet Bloc, 1987-91 = 163 8. A matter of survival, the 1990s = 204 9. Concludmg remarks = 233 Notes = 249 Bibliography = 284 Index = 311.