Author Archive

Hagiography of the Kims and the Childhood of Saints: Kim Jong-il

By | August 12, 2014

Christopher Richardson examines the mythological narrative of Kim Jong-il’s genesis, uncovering the carefully constructed combination of religion, half-truths, and state propaganda.

Leader as Teacher, Leader as Scribe: An Introduction to North Korean Children’s Literature

By | October 07, 2013

Christopher Richardson follows up on Sino-NK’s critically acclaimed “Benoit Symposium” with an exclusive essay on the challenge of children’s literary cultural production, focusing primarily on the classic text, “A Winged Horse.”

“Still Quite Fun To Read:” An Introduction to North Korean Children’s Literature

By | September 17, 2013

Drawing from his own research on contemporary conceptions and experiences of childhood in North Korea, Christopher Richardson paints a primer on the content and significance of children’s literature in the DPRK.

“Be Prepared!” Reflections On The North Korean Children’s Union

By | June 13, 2013

Looking at the structure, ritual, and uniforms at last week’s congress for the Korean Children’s Union (KCU), Christopher Richardson, doctoral candidate at the University of Sydney, delves into the renewed significance of the Children’s Union just as the nation marches onward in the second year under the young leader.