Exploring Kim Jong-un's Passion For The Culture War That Grew From The Strong Influence Of Kpop For North Korean Millennials

JAKARTA - A report said that North Korea's Supreme Leader (North Korea) Kim Jong-un described K-pop music as a "malignant cancer." This statement further brought the Kim Jong-un regime into the middle of the culture war narrative.

Citing the Korea Times, Kim Jong-un called pop music from South Korea (South Korea) "a malignant cancer" because of its destructive power to young North Koreans. The dictator's leader called for war to stop it.

North Korea's state media warned South Korea's entertainment business would eventually lead to North Korea "crushing like a damp wall." In the last few months, Kim Jong-un has often talked about his resistance to Kpop.

Kim Jong-un spoke to the media, expressing resistance to anti- and non-socialist influences in his country. Not only Kpop. Kim Jong-un also condemned other entertainment products from South Korea, including films and dramas.

A panicked Kim Jong-un ordered his ranks to eliminate the invasion of South Korean culture. Kim Jong-un's panic also reflects the widespread influence of K-pop music in North Korea.

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According to a 2018 survey on North Korean defectors conducted by Seoul National University's Institute for Peace and Unification Studies, 41.4% of respondents said they often watched South Korean TV programs, films, dramas and songs. Meanwhile, 40.2 percent stated that they only watched the entertainment once or twice.

Only 18.4 percent said they had no experience at all. A North Korean soldier named Oh Chong-song, who fled to South Korea by crossing the border through the joint security area (JSA) in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in November 2017, also admitted to storing about 500 K-pop songs on a USB device and listening to them.

North Korean propaganda that claims South Koreans live like beggars is no longer successful. As a result, Kim Jong-un and other authorities resorted to tougher measures.

Millennials may be a challenge for Kim Jong-un. Those who are still young are now more information literate and are not afraid to seek wider information.

Moreover, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic situation is getting worse. Kim Jong-un must continue to maintain his honor as the supreme leader in North Korea.

Kim Jong-un is even harder to implement his ideology. "He (Kim Jong-un) must reassert his ideological control over the youth if he doesn't want to lose the foundation for his family's future dynastic rule," said a defector who smuggled K-pop goods into North Korea, Jung Gwang-il.

Kim Jong-un implemented a new law on punishment for people watching the spectacle originating from South Korea, the United States (US), or Japan. Anyone caught in possession of large amounts of media from South Korea, the US and Japan, faces the death penalty.

Meanwhile, those caught watching will be sentenced to 15 years in prison. The sentence was heavier than the previous sentence, which was five years in prison.

There is also a new law (UU) relating to South Korea. The law states that anyone who "speaks, writes or sings" in a South Korean style will be sentenced to forced labor of up to two years.

Daily NK, a Seoul-based Korean-language news website specializing in North Korea news, reported that as many as four North Koreans in their early 20s were sentenced to between ten and 12 years in forced labor camps for watching South Korean dramas.

Meanwhile, three teenagers are sent to a re-education camp for having haircuts like K-pop idols. Not only that, the three of them also sewed their pants above the ankles.

"For Kim Jong-un, a cultural invasion from South Korea is beyond tolerable levels," said Jiro Ishimaru, editor-in-chief of Asia Press International, a Japanese website that monitors North Korea.

Kim Jong-un's crackdown on K-pop this time is very different from two years ago. In April 2018, South Korean girl group Red Velvet flew to Pyongyang over the weekend for two shows in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang.

Billboard reported that Kim Jong-un and his wife, Ri Sol-ju and his sister, Kim Yo-jong, then made a surprise visit to the show. During the performance, Kim Jong-un clapped and then shook hands with the Red Velvet members.

Kim Jong-un also had time to take pictures with Red Velvet after the appearance. In media reports, it was stated that Kim Jong-un said he was "very touched to see our people sincerely praise the show, deepening understanding of popular art from the South side," the North's Central News Agency said.

South Korean media brief footage shows Kim Jong-un clapping from the VIP stands on the second floor. The applause coincided with South Korea's Culture Minister Do Jong-hwan bowing and greeting the North Korean audience watching from the first floor.

"We should often hold cultural and artistic performances," said Kim Jong-un.

Kim Jong-un also asked to inform South Korean President Moon Jae-in that the two Koreas should hold a similar event in Seoul in the fall. "There is an interest in whether I will come and see Red Velvet," said Kim Jong-un.

"I originally planned to attend the show held the day after tomorrow. But I came here today after adjusting my schedule ... I thank the people of Pyongyang for this kind of gift," added Kim Jong-un.

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The experience related to South Korean culture has also been experienced by Kim Jong-un's father, Kim Jong-il. In 2007, then-South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun presented Kim Jong-il with dozens of discs of South Korean dramas.

One of the discs contains the most popular drama in South Korea, namely Jewel in the Palace. The drama tells the story of a cook for the royal family in the days when Korea was united and stars Lee Yong-ae, who is Kim Jong-il's favorite actress.

*Read other information about KPOP or read other interesting articles from Putri Ainur Islam.