China and North Korea both use propaganda to enhance their country’s soft power position, employing a slew of similar methodologies to shape perceptions. Some of the similarities are obvious.

Both employ state-controlled media to build legitimacy and prestige for the ruling party and central leadership, use a historical victim/underdog narrative to stimulate sympathy, and define themselves in opposition to the United States. Both are fundamentally limited in these efforts by the lackluster international appeal of authoritarian governance and cult of personality storylines.

During a two week trip to China in late July, this