Lecture Research Week Eleven
After the title ‘Becoming Networked’ came up as the topic of the lecture this week became quickly intrigued in the way in which communication had grown throughout the years. Because of the brief mention of the different connections between countries I have decided on looking at propaganda posters in North Korea as this is somewhere that I am not very familiar with but would really enjoy learning about.
As the two Koreas have been heavily divided throughout history, North Korea, and the propaganda it has employed to change the image of south Korea is expansive and intensive (Gabroussenko, 2011). From the years, 1945-2010, in particular, saw cultural traditions, and foreign influence changed the face of South Korea. Throughout this research, I aim to look into how the propaganda has dealt with these changes.
Below I have listed some posters that I believe are particularly telling in the types of large, as well as small things that the North Korean people are influenced by every day. Note: I have used descriptions from the images site themselves as there is Korean script throughout them, so my ability to write an accurate description would not have been up to par as I have no knowledge of the Korean Language. (Jolla, 2013)
우리 당의 충직한 청년전위가 되자!
Join the young vanguard, pledge faith to the Party!
- 1999
- A young man and woman join together to hold high a flaming torch, the man also holds a hammer in his left hand. Behind them, a crowd with banners surges forward.
절약하여 더 많은 물자예비를 마련하자!
Help increase productivity by saving the things that will be needed!
- 1992
- Three hands, one holding a piece of coal, another a length of thread, and the third a screw. In the background, the silhouette of a factory.
지구상에서 미국을 없애버릴것이다!
We will blast the U.S. from the face of the earth!
- 1998
- A red missile streaks flame as it hurtles toward the United States, which is covered by the stars and stripes flag stretching across the North American continent.
정치가요축전
Political song festival
- 2000
- At the top, the poster title in English. Centered, the silhouette of a red trumpet superimposed across the outline of a white dove. At bottom left, the seal of the Juche Tower monument, the venue and year 1989.
공화국의 존엄과 자주권을 튼튼히 수호하자!
Provide a strong line of defense for the Republic's honor and sovereignty!
- 1991
- Standing at the top of a globe, a soldier holds a large Korean flag and a rifle. A large crowd of people from all walks of life stand behind him. In the front row, an athlete holds a trophy, a professional man has a roll of plans, a worker has a walkie-talkie, a woman holds a sheaf of grain. Behind them, more people wearing work clothes.
눈에 흙이 들어가도 잊을수 없다!
We never forget until we die!
- 2000
- In the center, a single large eye. Reflected in its pupil, a threatening figure. He reaches out to grab with his right hand. At upper right, "COCOPA," the name of a U.S. Navy ocean tug on active duty off the Korean coast in 1953.
Throughout my research of these posters I noticed a common theme emerging. There seemed to be almost a fixation of including certain elements within all of the propaganda posters. Eyes, hands (usually clasping something), down angles looking up onto the masses, bright punchy emblems and possibly the most re-occurring, which was the Korean people being represented in stereotypical roles.
Although some may see the North Koren culture as unbending and unwavering in the face of change, the reality is quite different as the propaganda bends quickly to changes that make it through the barrier of their undeniable leader. (Gabroussenko, 2011)
The ‘Eternal President’ Kim Jong Il is recognised first as the secretary for his predecessor, his father. This role involved him organising the propaganda, agitation and organisation of the country. The information circulating about Jong is highly confusing and mysterious, so much so that information on his death is highly speculated in terms of the correct timeline. On record Jong II died on December 19, 2011. (Jong II, 2016)
Resources:
Kim Jong Il. (2016). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved fromhttp://www.britannica.com/biography/Kim-Jong-Il
Gabroussenko, T. (2011). From Developmentalism to Conservationist Criticism: The New Narrative of South Korea in North Korean Propaganda.The Journal of Korean Studies, 16(1), 27-61. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/41490269
Jolla, G. D. L. (2013). North Korean Propaganda Posters. Retrieved 8/6/2016, from http://library.ucsd.edu/dc/search?f
