The woman behind the North Korean throne For almost a century, North Korea has been ruled by three men from the Kim family, who have created a government unlike any in the world. It claims to be a one-party socialist regime but it actually functions like a hereditary monarchy. The throne has passed from father to son twice, but today, there is some speculation that it could pass next from father to daughter or even brother to sister. This video explains how the Kim dynasty passes on succession and why some experts believe two women could be in contention for succession.