Sino–Korean Friendship of the Far East

North Korea sometimes known as the "hermit kingdom", a term that originally referred to the isolationism in the latter part of the Joseon Dynasty. North Korea enjoys a close relationship with China which is often called North Korea's closest ally between Pyongyang and Beijing. Kim Jong Un came to power as the Supreme Leader of North Korea on 29 December 2011 and leader of the Workers' Party of Korea on 11 April 2012, with North Korea become and has been described as a "massive police state", and its people "under constant surveillance" under the rule of Kim Jong Un attained the nickname 'surveillance state', North Korea's government has complete control over all forms of telecommunications and Internet. It is routine to be sent to a prison camp where every aspect of a person's existence in North Korea is monitored for communicating with the outside world especially with South Korea. Every citizen of North Korea must belong to the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and adjust their reportings to positively reflect Kim Jong Un's leadership. Foreign media including the South are not welcomed and are often used as scapegoats by North Korean media. Kim Jong Un was promoted to the rank of "Marshal of the Republic" in July 2012. The party has seen somewhat of a revival under Kim Jong Un, with more frequent meetings including his travels to Beijing, the capital city of China. He is also called "Marshal" or "Supreme Leader." When he was still a new ruler, the development of his own personality cult with large numbers of posters, signs, and other propaganda being placed throughout North Korea as well as to be constructed on Mount Paektu including monuments dedicated to his grandfather Kim Il Sung and father Kim Jong Il. Additionally, stand alone "mosaic murals" of Kim Jong Un are being planned for major cities in every province, even the capital Pyongyang.