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| North Korea's new pop music girl group, Moranbong. Photo used courtesy of EPA. |
In August, tensions between North Korea and South Korea continued to rise as the two countries exchanged volleys of artillery fire. This first official break in nearly five years of armistice came amid a slew of accusations primarily focused on a South Korean led propaganda campaign, dubbed “the Hello Kitty offensive.”
The New York Times reported that South Korean armed forces installed loudspeakers near the border tuned to broadcast K-pop and the message of “the superiority of a free democracy” toward Koreans across the DMZ. Though the broadcasts likely had little impact-- reaching short of 12 miles into North Korea--the dispute rekindled talk of “all-out war” on the peninsula.
The New York Times reported that South Korean armed forces installed loudspeakers near the border tuned to broadcast K-pop and the message of “the superiority of a free democracy” toward Koreans across the DMZ. Though the broadcasts likely had little impact-- reaching short of 12 miles into North Korea--the dispute rekindled talk of “all-out war” on the peninsula.
These developments are the newest challenge to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s ongoing campaign aimed at stabilizing his authority. Since beginning his reign in December 2011, observers of Mr. Kim’s “hermit nation” have marked an unusual blend of power consolidation, aggression and modernization. Allegations remain that Mr. Kim has fired or otherwise removed a large number of government officials who were close to his father, including having his uncle executed in 2013.
Meanwhile, minor reforms include the introduction of formerly banned “western fashion” by the Leader’s wife, Ri Sol-ju. Most notably Mr. Kim order the replacement of soviet-style uniforms in North Korea’s state-run airline in favor of a modern alternative. Similarly, Mr. Kim has recently overseen the completion of an amusement park and allowed for a pop music girl band called Morandbong. Though the content of the pop group’s music is propaganda, they bear uncanny resemblance to South Korea’s ever-popular “K pop” girl bands.
Meanwhile, minor reforms include the introduction of formerly banned “western fashion” by the Leader’s wife, Ri Sol-ju. Most notably Mr. Kim order the replacement of soviet-style uniforms in North Korea’s state-run airline in favor of a modern alternative. Similarly, Mr. Kim has recently overseen the completion of an amusement park and allowed for a pop music girl band called Morandbong. Though the content of the pop group’s music is propaganda, they bear uncanny resemblance to South Korea’s ever-popular “K pop” girl bands.
South Korea’s apparent willingness to provoke aggression is seen by some to reflect prolonged instability and waning international support for the North Korean regime. As recently as March the UN Security Council renewed its comprehensive sanctions against North Korea levied for violations of nuclear non-proliferation agreements; Particularly for the testing and development of nuclear weapons.
Additionally, a publication in early 2014 by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in North Korea detailed grueling violations such that the General Assembly passed a resolution referring Mr. Kim to the International Criminal Court for prosecution. According to Human Rights Watch, these crimes include state-sanctioned “extermination, murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions, and other sexual violence.”
Additionally, a publication in early 2014 by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in North Korea detailed grueling violations such that the General Assembly passed a resolution referring Mr. Kim to the International Criminal Court for prosecution. According to Human Rights Watch, these crimes include state-sanctioned “extermination, murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions, and other sexual violence.”
The reporting of these and other crimes has lead to a decline in support from North Korea’s allies, namely China. A series of high-level defections and visible disputes between China and North Korea culminated in late August with an unusual official visit between China’s President Xi and the President of South Korea, Park Geun-hye.
With growing common interests between China and South Korea, it appears that North Korea is increasingly isolated from international communities with less and less leverage to project their influence. South Korea, in turn, has undergone a modernization and bolstering of its military. For now, the “Hello Kitty” offensive’s subtle provocation seems unlikely to be stopped a North Korean hair-trigger temper.
With growing common interests between China and South Korea, it appears that North Korea is increasingly isolated from international communities with less and less leverage to project their influence. South Korea, in turn, has undergone a modernization and bolstering of its military. For now, the “Hello Kitty” offensive’s subtle provocation seems unlikely to be stopped a North Korean hair-trigger temper.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/31/world/asia/south-koreas-pop-music-barrage-rattles-north.html?ribbon-ad-idx=3&rref=world/asia&module=Ribbon&version=context®ion=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Asia%20Pacific&pgtype=article
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