Respect your elders... or not: ageism in North Korean mass culture | NK News
NK News Logo
December 22, 2024

NK News is hiring

Evergreen

Respect your elders… or not: ageism in North Korean mass culture

Portrayals of the elderly have changed over the decades, and according to the political needs of the leadership

Ideologically induced biases against and in favor of particular age groups have been a stable part of North Korean culture since the country's very beginning.

North Korean ageism has vacillated between two opposites: the disparaging of older people as alleged bearers of outdated mentalities while holding up the progressive youth, and the devaluation of the young for lacking the mountains of wisdom and loyalty of the elderly.

Try unlimited access
Only $1 for four weeks

  • Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
  • Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period
  • 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.