Korean War Revivalism in DPRK: Historical Consolidation and Personality Cults
Materials show how the DPRK has been changing its own Korean war narrative — and keeping it stable. The return to fulsome gratefulness to China in the last week of July, and the in-depth discussion of the glories of socialist internationalism before that, showed that North Korea seems determined not to go forward absent the protective shield of the Chinese People’s Republic.
Let Them Eat Concerts, II: Musical Diplomacy, the Ri Sol-ju Rollout, and Kim Ki-Nam
Analysis of the Moranbong Band as an instrument of DPRK cultural diplomacy, interaction with “First Lady” Ri Sol-ju, and the geriatrics of the Politburo.
Soft Power on a Hardened Path: On DPRK Musical Performance
SinoNK Performing Arts Analyst Jimin Lee compares the Moranbong Band debut to the performative politics of a missile launch. Intro by Adam Cathcart.
Modern, Feminine and Bright: Kim Jong-un’s First Lady
Kim Jong-un’s current persona is being grounded by two female figures: now we see Jong-un is not only a son of a noble Comrade (Go Young-hee), but the husband of one as well. Analysis by Darcie Draudt.
Ko Young-hee: Joseon’s Nameless, Newly Canonized Mother
A sister, lover, or just good friend? As the speculation fury over Kim Jong-un’s plus-one at the recent Moranbong Band performance suggests, it may behoove analysts and North Korea watchers to be pay closer attention to the women accompanying the Great Successor than the man himself. SinoNK’s analyst for Gender Issues, Darcie Draudt, leaves the identity […]
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