North Korea has ordered propaganda officials in Pyongyang to intensify ideological crackdowns following recent moves to emphasize the “two hostile state” doctrine, Daily NK has learned.
A source in Pyongyang said recently that the propaganda department of the city’s party committee held a lecture for propaganda officials from district party committees and major factories on Nov. 6 at party headquarters.
The lecture followed Kim Jong Un’s recent constitutional changes that rejected shared national identity with South Korea and the concept of reunification, instead defining North and South as “two hostile states.” It aimed to reinforce regime cohesion by emphasizing “our state first” ideology and state symbols.
The city party committee’s propaganda department introduced new educational materials about the “our state first” ideology and national symbols, directing officials to focus on ideological activities for party members and workers.
“Propaganda officials must recognize that state symbols are not mere symbols but powerful means to inspire people’s identity and patriotism,” the source quoted from the lecture. Officials were ordered to teach the public about national symbols including the flag, emblem, national flower (magnolia), national dog (Pungsan), national tree (pine), and national language (Pyongyang dialect of Korean).
The lecture particularly emphasized teaching patriotism through the national anthem and making it part of educational and cultural life. “The propaganda department believes repeatedly teaching state and socialist creeds will help people understand that North Korea and South Korea are clearly two hostile states,” the source said.
This indicates authorities aim to move beyond promoting general hostility toward South Korea to firmly establish the concept of “two hostile states” in public consciousness. Propaganda activities emphasizing this message will continue through year’s end.
However, some Pyongyang residents have expressed doubt about this ideological shift. “Some question whether you can deny connection with people who share a language and traditions after decades of emphasizing our 5,000 years of shared history and culture,” the source said.
While the promotion of South Korea as a hostile state appears central to North Korea’s current strategy for regime cohesion, the rejection of shared Korean identity has met with some resistance.
Daily NK works with a network of sources in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. For security reasons, their identities remain anonymous.
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November 18, 2024 at 01:16PM
by DailyNK(North Korean Media)