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The Beauty of Emptiness, The Beauty of Blank Space

The Beauty of Empty Space: Why Korean Artists Chose to Leave Things Unfinished Why didn't Korean artists fill the empty space? When you see a Korean painting, a moon jar, or a traditional garden, you may think something is missing. But in Korea, what is left empty is often more important than what is filled. The beauty of empty space isn't simply minimalism. It reflects a historical experience. After political violence forced many scholars to withdraw from public life, they came to value restraint over display. That philosophy eventually appeared as blank paper in paintings, an imperfect seam on a moon jar, and open space in Korean gardens.  Because they believed empty space allows imagination, nature, and the viewer to complete the artwork. Sometimes what is left unsaid carries more meaning than what is fully explained. ------------------------------------------ The Political Root — Why Scholars Started Valuing "Leaving Things Out" Joseon Dynasty Korea (1392–1897) ra...

North Korea election system.

Is there an election in Korea? 

Yes, North Korea also has elections. In North Korea,  Voting is mandatory for anyone above the age of 17 or over regardless of their gender or occupation. The turnout of the North Korean election is always almost 99.9% and votes were 100% in favor of the ruling party.  


North Korea ballot. 

Why is turnout 100%? 

Here's a funny thing. Each voter has been given a ballot paper with a single name on it which they then place in a ballot box located out in the open. No marking no choice in candidates. Voters cast their ballots publicly and election wins are always landslides. 

While there are private voting booths, few people use them crossing out a candidate's name. Anybody who crossed out a candidate's name and abstaining are both considered acts of treason. 








Who will North Koreans vote for? 

The election for deputies to the supreme people's Assembly and provincial governors, mayors, and other local officials is held every four years and is closely overseen by the ruling Worker's Party. 

The election for the Supreme Leader of the Supreme People's Assembly is held every five years but the supreme leader, who has been hereditary for three generations, is not elected by the residents but rather chosen by the members of the supreme people's Assembly showing the ballot in front of all people. 



That's the only positive I can think of is that it's a lot less stressful than normal elections because they don't have to worry that they voted for the wrong person. so people enjoy this election day that it's more like a party. 


What's unusual about North Korea's election? 

There is a dress code worn on election day. People have to wear suits. Men should wear formal attire and women must wear hanbok which is Korean traditional clothing. However, many North Koreans do not have hanbok or suits so they often borrow clothes from their neighbors. 

Since they are a single candidate, there's no campaign so residents have no information about the candidate. 


**Deputies to the supreme people's Assembly: 최고 위원회 대의원 

**최고 지도자 김정은 (Supreme Leader) 


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