Why animal cruelty is commonplace in North Korean popular culture



Analysis Why animal cruelty is commonplace in North Korean popular culture While violence against humans is rare in DPRK art, films show animals as soulless creatures whose pain does not matter Tatiana Gabroussenko August 29, 2022 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A puppy at a North Korean homestay in North Hamgyong Province \| Image: NK News (June 9, 2019) In North Korean popular culture, graphic violence is not common — at least toward humans. However, attitudes around animals are a different story, as they are still seen mostly as mice catchers, guards or a protein source, not as life companions or friends. When it comes to people, even the most radical anti-American and anti-Japanese works, which aim at igniting hatred and desire for revenge, tend to avoid excessive brutality. In North Korean popular culture, graphic violence is not common — at least toward humans. However, attitudes around animals are a different story, as they are still seen mostly as mice catchers, guards or a protein source, not as life companions or friends. When it comes to people, even the most radical anti-American and anti-Japanese works, which aim at igniting hatred and desire for revenge, tend to avoid excessive brutality. 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

Why animal cruelty is commonplace in North Korean popular culture

While violence against humans is rare in DPRK art, films show animals as soulless creatures whose pain does not matter

Tatiana Gabroussenko August 29, 2022

Why animal cruelty is commonplace in North Korean popular culture

A puppy at a North Korean homestay in North Hamgyong Province | Image: NK News (June 9, 2019)

In North Korean popular culture, graphic violence is not common — at least toward humans. However, attitudes around animals are a different story, as they are still seen mostly as mice catchers, guards or a protein source, not as life companions or friends.

When it comes to people, even the most radical anti-American and anti-Japanese works, which aim at igniting hatred and desire for revenge, tend to avoid excessive brutality.

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Tatiana Gabroussenko

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