Category Archive: Propaganda

Jan 10

North Korea’s official response to weekend hacking

Categories:

North Korea, Offbeat, Propaganda, South Korea

January 10, 2011

The source on this is a little odd: A WordPress blog with almost entirely default settings containing a many quality articles. However, the author has taken the effort to translate North Korea’s official response to the hacking of its Uriminzokkiri Youtube and Twitter accounts, as well as a direct denial of service attack on the Urimizokkiri website. So kudos to @dwkim9156 for translating the text:

Between the night of the 8th to the morning of the 9th, “Uriminzokkiri” webpage has been temporarily closed due to the hacking of the illegal intruders. The said illegal intruders perpetrated the laws by posted pieces of writing that insults our systems and dignity and deleted our stored information. Prior to this event, these illegal intruders have launched a DDoS attack on “Uriminzokkiri” webpage in late December. Such perpetration against “Uriminzokkiri” website is a base, rash act of the heinous members for anti-reunification to stall the influence of “Uriminzokkiri,” and it is an unforgivable defiance and provocation to our website.

The members of Comedy Gallery in DCinside, a South Korean webpage, have claimed to be responsible, and manipulates the opinions to make it seem as if they “responded” to our DDoS attack on their website.
“Uriminzokkiri” is an internet media of the Republic that works to advocate the desire and inclination for the People’s reconciliation, unity, and reunification, and does not intrude or hack other websites, nor does it indulge in such childish plays.
What will we achieve by hacking with extreme-rightist, rash people in websites that people do not even know whether it exists or not. Their excuse is nothing but an attempt to justify their illegal intrusion. The problem is that this incident has been a deliberated provocation by the hostile subjects whose marrows are filled with the hatred towards our Republic and controlled by the extreme-rightist influence.
As known previously, the pro-American conservative party have blocked “Uriminzokkiri” and labeled it as “pro-North website” to stall our influence, and have threatened many people in the South against connecting to our website, making it a violation of “National Security laws.” However, the number of those outside and inside the fatherland who visit our website is increasing exponentially every day.
Nonetheless, the extreme-rightist conservative influence, who are filled with a rooted hostility and repulsion towards us have lured some rash subjects who would even jump into the water for few pennies to perform illegal hacking on our website to prevent our voice for justice from reaching out to the people inside and outside the fatherland.
International hacking is illegal and outlawed in every country and governments, and South Korea is not an exception. Even according to the South Korean current law, if one damages others politically and economically on the web through hacking, one must pay for the crime and receive severe punishments.

Again, this incident proves that the South Korean extreme-rightist conservative subjects are criminals who intrude international internet web without hesitation to perform illegal hacking acts.

During the last few years, the South Korean authorities have made unfounded accusations to us every time they suffered a cyber attack in order to mislead both domestic and international media. This incident shows that those cyber attacks have occurred within South Korea as well.

Although the rash subjects who counter the currents of the era of information try to stall the influence of “Uriminzokkiri,” they cannot stop our communications that are meant to achieve the People’s reconciliation, unity, and reunification.
Those who have performed the hacking should deeply consider the severe consequences that await them, and act rashly no more.
The South Korean authorities should thoroughly investigate this illegal, even anarchical hacking incident, and severely punish those involved in it.
All the People should not tolerate the rashness of the extreme-rightist conservative subjects who have performed illegal, even anarchical deeds on internet with the criminal goal of preventing the achievement of reconciliation and unity, and inspire wars between brothers.

No big surprises here, but it’s interesting that North Korea decries the attacks as “childish”, while also hypocritically chewing out the South Korean government for blocking pro-North sites in the first place (North Korea, of course, blocks all content outside its own internal network of websites).

Source: Hello, World

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/744

Dec 30

‘Bend It Like Beckham’ aired on North Korea television

Categories:

Diplomacy, North Korea, Offbeat, Propaganda

December 30, 2010

image

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and North Korea, the British embassy in Pyongyang managed to have the first western movie aired to a North Korean audience. Bend It Like Beckham is a 2002 dramedy about a girl who does whatever it takes to play professional women’s football (soccer to us North American honkies), even if going against family values and traditions. The December 26th broadcast was an unusual step for North Korea, who traditionally airs only state-sanctioned news reports, natively made North Korean movies and TV dramas (with a thick helping of propaganda), and video portraying North Korea’s leadership and country status in only the most positive lights.

Soccer/football is one of few national pasttime’s the two countries can share, but it would be interesting to get North Korean viewers opinions on the movie. Many North Koreans have been successful in smuggling South Korean television shows into the country, but one must wonder what sort of impact, if any, the state sanctioned airing of a western movie such as this might have on the society. The 112 minute movie appeared to be edited—but perhaps not that dramatically, as the final broadcast cut was only 8 minutes shorter at 104 minutes long.

Source: BBC

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/733

Dec 10

Kim Jong-Un portrait most likely Kim Il-Sung

Categories:

Kim Il-Sung, Kim Jong-Il, Kim Jong-Un, North Korea, Propaganda

December 10, 2010

korea-portrait04nw_1048361a_zoomGlobe and Mail’s revelation that a Canadian tourist may have stumbled upon a propaganda painting of Kim Jong-Un’s youth in Switzerland has been met with increasing skepticism since the announcement. DailyNK has spoken with a North Korean defector with a degree in fine arts, who counters the evidence that the portrait is of grandson Kim Jong-Un:

…the angle of the man’s face and line of vision reflect a formula used in innumerable official portraits of Kim Il Sung, who of course did not pose for every picture in which he appeared, and that the background is a homage to the North Korean founder’s time as a revolutionary in cities in places like Jilin and Harbin in Northeast China.
On all levels this portrait resembles the Kim Il Sung seen in cultural films about his revolutionary tradition, for example “The Star of Chosun” and “Sun of the People”.
Not only that, but as one North Korean defector who worked in the arts said, “If this was really a portrait of Kim Jong Eun for his glorification, it would have been distributed systematically by the Department of Agitation and Propaganda,” adding that, “It doesn’t make any sense that a glorification portrait of Kim Jong Eun which hasn’t even been published in Pyongyang yet would have been on display in the Rajin Art Gallery in October.”
“When I look at this picture, it looks like something a student from Pyongyang Art University might have submitted for their graduation piece,” he added.

Myth busted, I suppose! However, it’s likely only a matter of time before idolization portraits of the Youth Captain start circulating among the North Korean people to hang next to Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il.

Source: DailyNK

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/711

Dec 04

Portrait of Kim Jong-Un discovered by Canadian tourist?

Categories:

Kim Il-Sung, Kim Jong-Un, North Korea, Propaganda, Succession

December 4, 2010

A contemplative Kim Jong-Un, walking through Central Europe, daydreams about his motherland of North Korea. The portrait above, discovered in an art gallery in the Rason region of North Korea by a Canadian tourist, is believed to be the first outsider look at Kim Jong-Un propaganda and helps us speculate on the mythology being prepared to deify the future leader. Likely representing Kim Jr,’s studies abroad in Switzerland, the portrait shows him looking very much like his grandfather, the immortalized Kim Il-Sung.

The Globe and Mail article quotes B.R. Myers, author of The Cleanest Race and a PhD in North Korean literature:

“It goes to the heart of what will be the regime’s main problem in glorifying the boy, namely the fact that he was overseas during at least part of the famine or [so-called] Arduous March. The regime is for some reason loath to let foreigners see this nascent personality cult,” Prof. Myers said. “We have seen footage of [Kim Jong-un], and of course we can see him on the TV news every few days … but we know next to nothing about how the regime is articulating his biography. This painting offers important insight into what kind of mythobiography the regime is either planning or is already teaching the masses in party meetings, study meetings etc. outside the view of foreign visitors.”

He noted that the young man in the painting was gazing at the sun rising in the east, another suggestion that North Korea consumed his thoughts, even while he was far from home.

However, another North Korea expert, Andrei Lankov believes this artwork to be an older portrait of Kim Il-Sung, set in the 1920s (Thanks @LiberateLaura). The evidence is substantial for either claim, but we will have to wait and see as North Korea’s propaganda machine begins work to glorify the youthful leader-to-be.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/702

Dec 03

Ri Chun-Hee: North Korea’s Unsung Celebrity

Categories:

China, North Korea, Offbeat, Propaganda

December 3, 2010

richunhee

There aren’t a lot of famous North Koreans—especially outside the government or soccer world. There is one special North Korean, however, who has been discussed a great deal in China and abroad – Ri Chun-Hee. ChinaSmack has a humourous article about North Korean TV’s popular news anchor, famous for her dead-pan and harsh delivery of the news from Pyongyang. Typically extolling the virtues of Kim Jong-Il and his accomplishments across the country, Chun-hee has been reporting for over 40 years.

Best quote from the article, citing Chinese bulletin board Tiexue: “North Korea’s anchorwoman becomes famous: Her voice is even more powerful than cannons!”

See below for a recent example from North Korea’s officlal Youtube of her blunt news delivery.

Source: ChinaSmack

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/699

Nov 29

Wikileaks: North Korea provided advanced missiles to Iran

Categories:

China, Iran, Japan, Military, North Korea, Nuclear, Propaganda, South Korea, USA, War

November 29, 2010

BM25

The latest release from Wikileaks depicts over 200,000 diplomatic cables of intelligence gathering from various US embassies. Of particular interest, a cable dated February 24th 2010 revealed the transfer of 19 ballistic missiles from North Korea to Iran. The missile, the BM-25. is a modified Russian design capable of hitting targets 3200km away and has the potential to be armed with a nuclear warhead. It is believed that neither country is able at present time to construct a warhead small enough to arm a missile. You might recall the BM-25 being driven around during the 65th anniversary celebration parade of the Korean Worker’s Party.

Other interesting details from a separate Feb 22nd Wikileaks release are the revelation of political dissent in the form of a bomb on a train from Pyongyang to Beijing. There are also discussions of a “Cash for Corpses” arrangement for the US to retrieve the remains of MIA soldiers from the Korean War in exchange for money to the DPRK. Posted below is the full text of the Feb 22nd leak for posterity.

Monday, 22 February 2010, 08:54
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 000290
SIPDIS
EO 12958 DECL: 02/23/2030
TAGS PREL, PGOV, SOCI, MARR, ECON, ETRD, KN, KS, CH
SUBJECT: A/S CAMPBELL’S FEBRUARY 3 MEETING WITH NSA KIM
Classified By: Ambassador D. Kathleen Stephens. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).

——-

1. (C) During a February 3 meeting, National Security Adviser Kim Sung-hwan told EAP Assistant Secretary Campbell the ROKG wished to have discussions with Washington about delaying the planned transfer of wartime operation control to Korea. Kim agreed that turbulence in Sino-American relations meant Beijing would be hesitant to call a new round of the Six Party Talks. It was encouraging, however, that veteran DPRK negotiator Kim Gye-gwan was slated to visit Beijing next week. NSA Kim asserted that Kim Jong-il needed to visit China soon in order to get more economic assistance, as the DPRK’s internal situation appeared to be significantly more unstable. NSA Kim acknowledged it was important to reach out directly to key DPJ officials like Foreign Minister Okada and Finance Minister Kan. The North Koreans, Kim said, were clearly using several different channels to “knock on the DPJ’s door.” President Lee may visit a Korean factory in the United States to help sell KORUS to the American public. Kim suggested that President Obama and President Lee pay a joint visit to the Korean War Memorial in Washington to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. Campbell asked for ROK understanding for U.S. plans to resume MIA remains recovery operations in North Korea. Kim emphasized that President Lee would never “buy” a summit with Pyongyang. End summary.

OPCON Transfer

————–

2. (C) During a February 3 meeting with Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell, ROK National Security Adviser Kim Sung-hwan said he wished to have discussions with the USG on the planned April 2012 transfer of wartime operation control (OPCON) to Korea. Kim agreed with Campbell’s observation that it was important for the Korean public to understand that any change that may be considered concerning OPCON transfer timing, and the U.S. Quadrennial Defense Review, would not diminish America’s commitment to the ROK’s security, and should not be so interpreted. China Unlikely to Call New 6PT Round

————————————

3. (C) NSA Kim agreed with Campbell’s observation that the current turbulence in Sino-American relations meant Beijing would be hesitant to call a new round of the Six Party Talks (6PT) anytime soon. Referring to POTUS’ upcoming meeting with the Dalai Lama, Kim said the Chinese were “far too sensitive” about the Tibetan spiritual leader’s meetings with foreign officials. A few years ago, Kim related, the PRC had crudely pressured the ROK government into canceling a planned speech by the Dalai Lama at a Buddhist conference on Cheju Island.

4. (C) NSA Kim said he was encouraged by reports that veteran DPRK negotiator Kim Gye-gwan was slated to visit Beijing next week at the invitation of Chinese 6PT chief Wu Dawei. NSA Kim said he understood Kim Gye-gwan might also visit New York. Campbell noted it was important for the DPRK authorities to hear from the Five Parties that Pyongyang’s attempt to shift the focus from denuclearization to a peace treaty was not working.

KJI China Trip and Deteriorating Conditions Inside DPRK

——————————————————–

5. (C) NSA Kim asserted that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il needed to visit China soon in order to get more economic assistance. The PRC was in the process of delivering a portion of the food aid promised during Premier Wen’s visit to the DPRK last fall; approximately 6,000 metric tons (MT) of rice and 20,000 MT of soybeans has been delivered, but the DPRK needed a lot more. The situation inside North Korea, he added, appeared increasingly unstable. The North’s currency replacement had created strong resentment throughout DPRK society, Kim said, adding that DPRK Finance Chief Pak Nam-gi had apparently been sacked. Kim asserted there were credible reports of unrest in the North; according to ROK intelligence sources, DPRK police recently found a bomb on a passenger train en route from Pyongyang to Beijing.

U.S.-Japan Relations

——————–

6. (C) Kim concurred with Campbell’s assessment that the DPJ

was “completely different” from the LDP and agreed it was important for the DJP to coordinate with Seoul and Washington as it made preliminary overtures to Pyongyang. The North Koreans, Kim said, were clearly using several different channels to “knock on the DPJ’s door.” Kim acknowledged Campbell’s point that it was important to reach out directly to key DPJ officials like Foreign Minister Okada and Finance Minister Naoto Kan.

FTA Prospects

————-

7. (C) It was the ROK government’s view, Kim said, that there might be a window of opportunity to pass KORUS immediately after the U.S. Congressional elections this fall. Kim added that the ROK Embassy in Washington was working on a possible FTA event for President Lee during his upcoming trip to the United States for the nuclear summit. One idea, Kim explained, was to have President Lee visit a Korean factory to help underscore to the American public that the FTA was about creating jobs in America as well in Korea. Campbell praised ROK Ambassador Han Duck-soo for his public outreach on KORUS and noted that the U.S. business community needed to “stop being lazy” and help get KORUS through Congress.

Korean War Memorial Visit

————————-

8. (C) NSA Kim asked if, during the April nuclear summit in Washington, it would be possible to have POTUS and President Lee pay a joint visit to the Korean War Memorial. Campbell acknowledged the powerful symbolism for both the Korean and American audience of such a visit during the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, but cautioned that it would be extremely difficult to arrange during the nuclear summit.

MIA Remains Recovery in North Korea

———————————–

9. (C) Campbell asked for ROK understanding about the U.S. position on resuming MIA remains recovery operations in North Korea. The USG felt strongly, Campbell explained, that this was an important humanitarian issue. Campbell stressed that the U.S. would coordinate closely with the ROK on the issue to “avoid sending the wrong signal” to the DPRK. Pressed by Kim about paying the North Koreans cash to help recover U.S. remains, Campbell agreed it was distasteful; he noted, however, that the United States had made similar payments to the Burmese and Vietnamese governments to facilitate cooperation on MIA issues.

Prospects for a North-South Summit

———————————-

10. (C) On prospects for a North-South summit, NSA Kim clarified remarks that President Lee made in an interview with the BBC in Davos. Kim said that, beginning last fall, the ROK has had contact with the DPRK about a summit. The North, however, has demanded that Seoul provide a certain amount of economic aid prior to any summit. That precondition was unacceptable, Kim stressed, noting that the Blue House had emphasized to the ROK press this week that President Lee would never “buy” a summit with the North. STEPHENS

 

Source: New York Times / The Guardian

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/684

Nov 26

Yeonpyeong assault aftermath and news roundup

Categories:

China, Economy, Kim Jong-Il, Kim Jong-Un, Military, North Korea, Propaganda, South Korea, War

November 26, 2010

yeonpyeong_destruction

The dust has settled and the world can view the sudden assault on South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island from North Korea with clearer eyes. The final casualty toll of the attacks are 2 soldiers and 2 construction workers dead, and at least 18 injured. Most of the 1200 civilians living on the island, of whom fishing is their primary trade, have been evacuated by the government.

While tensions remain high, and the South Korean military on high alert, it seems unlikely that North Korea will attempt another such attack anytime soon. Despite belligerent announcements from the state that the peninsula is on the brink of an all-out war, the artillery assault on the island seems little more than a move to bolster support for fledgling leader-to-be Kim Jong-Un, and as justification for the military-above-all-else policies of the KWP.

Reactions from South Koreans have been mixed. Many are critical of the government’s response and demanding fierce retaliation. Others fear an escalation of tensions may lead to all out war between the Koreas. South Korea’s won has fallen sharply since the attack over fears from foreign investment that a war may be looming. The government appears to be dancing around the issue in order to maintain economic stability. South Korea is presently the 14th largest economy in the world. The South Korean government has cancelled all planned food, medical and construction aid to the North.

North Korea has responded to the attacks blaming South Korean military exercises for “provoking” them. The South responded immediately to the attacks with their own volley of artillery fire, but state media is not reporting on the extent of damages, though it is believed to largely outnumber the damage done to Yeonpyeong. Most foreign countries have condemned the North Korean attack, especially South Korea’s strongest ally, the US. The Obama administration has once again pledged to protect and defend South Korea if all-out war should break out. China, as usual, has remained more-or-less mum on the issue, choosing only to protest the planned war exercises between US and South Korean militaries.

B.R. Myers, esteemed author of The Cleanest Race and holding a PhD in North Korean literature, spoke to NPR regarding the recent attack. He points out that this is the first time since the Korean War cease-fire that the North has fired upon a civilian population with artillery shells. He notes that although this is probably the most serious incident between the Koreas since the 1950-1953 war, South Korean civilian reaction is fairly tame. They have grown up to be accustomed to these sorts of provocations, so for many it is business as usual. Russia has condemned the attacks as well and has called for calm on the peninsula.

soyasaucetour

More artillery fire has been heard on the Northern side, possibly due to training and targeting practice. Kim Jong-Il and son have allegedly visited the site where the artillery weapons were fired from (picture above is the duo touring a soya sauce factory days earlier) The US and South Korean militaries will begin military exercises on Sunday, which often leads to further saber-rattling from the North. Let’s see what the weekend has in store…

Source: Yahoo! News via AFP / KCNA / NPR / Reuters

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/668

Nov 23

DPRK fires artillery shells at South, killing 1 and injuring 13

Categories:

Kim Jong-Il, Kim Jong-Un, Military, North Korea, Propaganda, South Korea, USA, War

November 23, 2010

yangbeyon map

A salvo of 50 artillery shells were fired at Yeongpyong, island village in South Korea that is uncomfortably close to North Korea on the East. The shells killed 1 marine and injured 13 others, and shots were quickly returned by the South. The South Korean military is at is highest alert. More shots were exchanged on either side sporadically for about an hour. 10 houses were set ablaze as a result of the North’s shelling.

State run news North Korean news outlet KCNA is reporting that the South Korea fired first, which is most certainly a farce. Later in their report they also claimed that these types of attacks will continue if South Korea does not stop violating maritime borders. (Thanks W7VOA via Twitter, for the live updates).

The attacks come mere days after the discovery that North Korea has ramped up efforts for nuclear weapons proliferations by starting construction of a light water nuclear reactor. This is habitual of North Korea to provoke the South and the USA during times of increased tensions as a method to return to 6 Party Talks. 6 Party Talks (China, SK, NK, Japan, USA and Russia) historically have ended up benefitting the North in the form of food and construction aid, while they give basically nothing up in return. This type of attack will likely be used to bolster support for incumbent leader Kim Jong-Un by strengthening his grip on the “military first” policies created by his father.

BBC has some photos of the destruction for your perusal. This is the biggest land based provocation from the DPRK in quite some time, however Yeonpyeong has been the site of naval battles between the divided countries in 1999 and 2002, due to the close proximity of the Northern Limit Line.

Source: Yahoo! News via AFP / BBC News

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/630

Oct 26

Why does the South block North Korean websites?

Categories:

North Korea, Propaganda, South Korea

October 26, 2010

For years, the democratic government of South Korea, with the highest rate of internet penetration in the world, has defied internet freedoms by blocking access to the few North Korean websites out there. Sites once hosted in Japan and China, are now being natively hosted from Pyongyang, but South Korea has adapted its filters to block the new .kr addresses as well. In total, approximately 30 websites either hosted in, or with strong connection with the DPRK, have been censored. North Korea has greatly enhanced its online presence, embracing social media such as Twitter and Youtube (and attempts at Facebook that have been blocked by administrators), and the South Korean government has been scrambling to keep on top of the filtering. Why would a democratic country extolling the virtues of freedom and free speech seek to censor the North’s propaganda?

The National Security Act, an anti-communism measure in the South founded after the Korean War, forbids anti-government ideas, organizations and communications, which of course North Korea specializes in. It can be argued that the only reason the DPRK has a presence on the internet is to spread their propaganda to the outside world, and the communication is certainly one-way. The North’s blunt propaganda, however, would have a tough time convincing most South Koreans to join the cause of their impoverished socialist nation.

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/555

Oct 12

Now with 50% more ugly, the new KCNA website

Categories:

North Korea, Propaganda

October 12, 2010

The KCNA state-run website is preparing to switch to its own .kp top-level domain soon, but you can already visit the website. Though they have thankfully caught up with 1998 with the removal of HTML frames, it is still quite gaudy even by North Korean standards!

Since last week’s massive military parade and the inviting of foreign journalists, North Korea has started actively using and promoting the .kp TLD for sites based out of North Korea.

Source: KCNA and Wikipedia

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/499

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