Propaganda in North Korea

The term propaganda itself is an unpopular term used in many ways which are deemed negative. Behind it all lies the ways of dishonesty, deceit and further hopes of brainwashing those who receive it, and all this would further the purpose of those who use the methods of political persuasion; gaining favour from the pubic in order to further an agenda or purpose. North Korea as a state has had difficult relations with the west, especially America due to many reasons, such as their strong beliefs in communism, violation of human rights, and most importantly (specifically for the West) the active nuclear programme that Kim Jong-Un was running. The kind of propaganda used within the state varies from Art, Music and Posters, depicting images which carry the message that there must be pride within the country, focus on the military is strong, as well as the never-ending support for the state and leader. 

Today, to the rest fo the world, the propaganda advertised within the state proves to be strong in regard to their military and their anti-American beliefs. The leadership within the country gains wide attention within social networking sites and the Media, but the sequence of rulers within the state have been the main object of jokes and mockery. But their views on America seem to be strong anti-American views, used within their propaganda to send messages to the public that the West is their enemy. 

Why is it that North Korea dislikes the United States of America, that propaganda would be used to depict their hatred? The war in the 1945 between the US and the Soviets resulted in the division of Korea, into North and South. The spread of Communism was growing and the US intervention resulted in the war of the superpowers, with the Soviets controlling the North, and the US spreading the ideology of capitalism into the South. The active nuclear programme within the state today is a further concern of the United States, with North Korea running tests on missiles, which have proved to reach a distance close to the coast of the US. 

The images above show the sort of propaganda used within the country; one depicting those within the Military which is one of the many ways in which the state ensures that the public will view the military as a high authority deemed admirable, with the other image depicting an anti-American image, with a North Korean woman in support of the NK regime, tearing an American flag in half. The image sends a message of propaganda, showing that the West, especially the United States and their allies, are the enemies of the state. 

Although there are speculations of possible talks between the US and North Korea in regard to the possible diplomatic relations and the possibility of shutting down the nuclear programme, it might sound promising, but North Korea’s intentions are still not yet clear in their opinions to the West and to the US. 

References:

– The Impossible State: North Korea, Past and Future – Victor D. Cha, Published by Ransom House, 2012

– 20 things I learned in North Korea, https://bit.ly/2GNwGWI , (Accessed 30/04/18)

– All That is Interesting; NK Propaganda ; http://allthatsinteresting.com/north-korean-propaganda-america , (Accessed 30/04/18)