NORTH KOREA: THE ROLE OF PROPAGANDA IN THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE KIM REGIME

Abstract

Propaganda has been used throughout history to influence and sway public opinion, particularly in totalitarian states. The aim of this thesis is to examine how the Kim regime in North Korea has employed propaganda for decades in order to gain and maintain power over its citizens. Its scope spans from the Korean War and the beginning of Kim Il Sung's rule through the modern era and the newest Kim dictator. The thesis is organized into five chapters. Chapter I, "Defining Propaganda and Exploring the Current Environment," provides a description of propaganda and the strict measures of social and information control in North Korea. Chapter II, "History, Juche and Cultural Influences," discusses its distinctive homegrown propaganda and ideology influenced by the former Soviet Union as well as Japanese and Chinese cultures. Chapter III, "Exploring the Kim Cult: Kim Il Sung," chronicles the background and cult of personality built around the first leader. Chapter IV, "The Transition of the Propaganda Machine: Kim Jong Il," focuses on the first dynastic succession and the establishment of the second Kim's rule. Chapter V, "The Next Kim Successor: Kim Jong Un," addresses the transfer of power to the third ruler and his efforts to use propaganda to rebrand and maintain the power of the regime. The thesis concludes that the Kim dynasty and its use of propaganda will remain fundamentally unchanged as it continues to prioritize its main goal of sustaining power.