North Korea's Propaganda Reaches TikTok - South Korea Reacts Swiftly
A North Korean propaganda song titled “Friendly Father,” praising dictator Kim Jong-un, has been banned from the social network TikTok in South Korea. The song, which went viral in recent weeks, featured in the background of numerous videos that accumulated thousands of likes and millions of views. On Monday, South Korean authorities announced the ban and blocked access to about thirty videos due to concerns over 'psychological warfare,' as per a CNN report.
Unveiled in April during a concert celebrating the completion of a housing project in Pyongyang, the song glorifies Kim Jong-un, comparing him to 'a great leader and a friendly parent.' The clip portrays North Koreans joyfully singing the song, asserting that Kim 'takes care' of them 'with affection.'
The song’s virality soared on TikTok, a platform owned by the Chinese giant ByteDance. Content creators worldwide used it to create their own videos, resulting in some clips garnering over two million views. However, it was not just entertainment, as South Korea's National Intelligence Service requested the Korea Communications Standards Commission to block 29 videos that featured the song. The nation's security laws restrict access to North Korean government websites and media, aiming to limit exposure to Kim Jong-un's autocratic regime.
Alexandra Leonzini, a researcher at the University of Cambridge who specializes in North Korean music, pointed out that 'Generation Z' on TikTok was not showing allegiance but rather 'making fun of it.' Ha Seung-hee, a professor at Dongguk University in South Korea, highlighted that the viral video might have unintentionally shown Kim Jong-un a new method of effective propaganda.
In another significant development, North Korea released a video showing portraits of Kim Jong-un alongside those of his grandfather, President Kim Il Sung, and father, Kim Jong Il, in a classroom at the newly opened General Executive School of the Workers' Party of Korea. Experts suggest this demonstrates Kim's confidence in his governance over the past decade. Professor Atsuhito Isozaki of Keio University remarked that the inclusion of these portraits marks the beginning of the 'Kim Jong Un era,' showcasing his level of rule comparable to previous leaders.
The two Koreas, separated since the 1953 Korean War armistice, continue to be at odds, with millions of North Koreans living in poverty under the totalitarian regime. The regime, controlled by Kim Jong-un, dictates every aspect of life, from food rations to education and employment.
- The South Korean government's swift action to ban the North Korean propaganda song highlights its ongoing efforts to limit the influence of the autocratic regime in the digital age. This is part of a larger strategy to manage the delicate relationship between the two Koreas.
- Experts are observing the situation closely, considering the potential for North Korea to further exploit social media platforms as a means of spreading its propaganda on a global scale.
