Too good to be true: North Korean films that double as propaganda for the South



Analysis Too good to be true: North Korean films that double as propaganda for the South While aimed at discouraging defection, a pair of DPRK films counterproductively exaggerates South Korea’s wealth Tatiana Gabroussenko November 12, 2021 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON NK News (file) \| Snapshot from the 1995 North Korean film "Two Soldiers" It used to be that official North Korean propaganda left no doubts about which Korea was the better place to live. In the 1960s and 70s, films like “On the Way of Growth” and “Fates of Kumhui and Unhui” presented a contrast between the modernized and developed North and the dirty and archaic South. South Korean characters dream of moving to the prosperous North, and only fully armed U.S. border guards prevent them from crossing the demilitarized zone immediately. It used to be that official North Korean propaganda left no doubts about which Korea was the better place to live. In the 1960s and 70s, films like “On the Way of Growth” and “Fates of Kumhui and Unhui” presented a contrast between the modernized and developed North and the dirty and archaic South. South Korean characters dream of moving to the prosperous North, and only fully armed U.S. border guards prevent them from crossing the demilitarized zone immediately. 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

Too good to be true: North Korean films that double as propaganda for the South

While aimed at discouraging defection, a pair of DPRK films counterproductively exaggerates South Korea’s wealth

Tatiana Gabroussenko November 12, 2021

Too good to be true: North Korean films that double as propaganda for the South

NK News (file) | Snapshot from the 1995 North Korean film "Two Soldiers"

It used to be that official North Korean propaganda left no doubts about which Korea was the better place to live.

In the 1960s and 70s, films like “On the Way of Growth” and “Fates of Kumhui and Unhui” presented a contrast between the modernized and developed North and the dirty and archaic South. South Korean characters dream of moving to the prosperous North, and only fully armed U.S. border guards prevent them from crossing the demilitarized zone immediately.

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.

Too good to be true: North Korean films that double as propaganda for the South

Become a member for less than $5.75 per week.

Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most –

as selected by <img width="226" height="50" class="logo" src="https://www.nknews.org/wp-content/themes/nknews/images/header-logo.png" alt="NK News Logo">

One more step!

Trending

Recent Stories

About the Author

Tatiana Gabroussenko

Become a member for less
than $5.75 per week.

Start your day with
the North Korea stories that matter most –

as selected by