Which Asian country has been ruled by a communist dictatorship since the 1950s?

North Korea has been under a communist dictatorship since its establishment after World War II and especially since the Korean War in the 1950s. The nation was founded in 1948, and Kim Il-sung became its leader, establishing a totalitarian regime centered around the principles of Juche, or self-reliance, which is deeply rooted in Marxism-Leninism.

While China, Vietnam, and Laos also have communist governments, the specifics of North Korea's regime are particularly notable for its pervasive cult of personality surrounding its leaders, extreme isolationism, and aggressive military stance. The other countries, while having communist parties in power, have undergone significant reforms and changes in governance that differ from North Korea's extreme dictatorship and total control over all aspects of life.