The Kim regime's failed witch hunt against magic and 'superstition'



Analysis The Kim regime’s failed witch hunt against magic and ‘superstition’ Shamans and fortune-tellers continue to operate in North Korea despite crackdowns and punishments Andrei Lankov September 13, 2021 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Pixabay \| A traditional ancestral ritual in South Korea Communist regimes did not have much sympathy toward religion, which according to Marx is nothing else but “opium” for the people. However, most communist leaders grudgingly tolerated the existence of religious institutions and associated beliefs, if for no other reason than pragmatism. But North Korea is unique in this regard. From the mid-1950s through the 1980s, it successfully suppressed all religious activity inside the country. The major targets of their campaigns were established churches -- Christian and Buddhist places of worship. Communist regimes did not have much sympathy toward religion, which according to Marx is nothing else but “opium” for the people. However, most communist leaders grudgingly tolerated the existence of religious institutions and associated beliefs, if for no other reason than pragmatism. But North Korea is unique in this regard. From the mid-1950s through the 1980s, it successfully suppressed all religious activity inside the country. The major targets of their campaigns were established churches -- Christian and Buddhist places of worship. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

The Kim regime’s failed witch hunt against magic and ‘superstition’

Shamans and fortune-tellers continue to operate in North Korea despite crackdowns and punishments

Andrei Lankov September 13, 2021

The Kim regime’s failed witch hunt against magic and ‘superstition’

Pixabay | A traditional ancestral ritual in South Korea

Communist regimes did not have much sympathy toward religion, which according to Marx is nothing else but “opium” for the people. However, most communist leaders grudgingly tolerated the existence of religious institutions and associated beliefs, if for no other reason than pragmatism.

But North Korea is unique in this regard. From the mid-1950s through the 1980s, it successfully suppressed all religious activity inside the country. The major targets of their campaigns were established churches -- Christian and Buddhist places of worship.