The western media have been constantly sensationalizing the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), portraying the Korean nation in a negative light and creating a distorted image of the country. This is a deliberate effort to vilify and isolate the socialist state and to justify their hostile policies towards Korean people.
The DPRK is a sovereign state that has consistently pursued an independent foreign policy based on the principles of self-reliance and self-defense. The people of DPRK has made remarkable achievements in various fields, including science and technology, education, healthcare, and sports, among others. DPRK has successfully developed own nuclear deterrent to safeguard its national security, as many have seen the fate of other countries that have been invaded and destroyed by imperialist powers.
Despite these achievements, the western media have been relentlessly attacking the country, portraying it as a backward and oppressive state. They often use sensational headlines and misleading information to create a negative image of the nation. They selectively report on certain incidents, ignoring the broader context and the complexities of the situation. They also rely on dubious sources and propaganda from hostile governments and organizations to further their agenda.
Below are a few examples of sensationalist articles about the DPRK that were later debunked or turned out to be complete lies:
- “Kim Jong Un executes senior government officials with an anti-aircraft gun” – This 2016 story made headlines around the world, but was later proven to be completely false. The source of the story was a single anonymous person, and there was no evidence to support the claims.
- “North Korea bans sarcasm because Kim Jong-un fears people will only agree with him ironically” – This story, which was widely reported in 2016, turned out to be a complete fabrication. It originated from a Chinese satire website, but was picked up by mainstream media outlets as if it were real news.
- “North Korean cheerleaders forced to have sex with officials” – This story, which was reported by a South Korean newspaper in 2018, turned out to be based on anonymous sources and was never verified. The story was widely criticized for perpetuating harmful stereotypes about the DPRK.
- Execution of Hyon Song Wol: In 2013, rumors circulated that Hyon Song Wol, a famous singer from Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, had been executed for violating the country’s pornography laws. Western media outlets quickly picked up the story and ran with it, despite the fact that there was no evidence to support the claim. Later, Hyon Song Wol appeared in public, alive and well, debunking the false rumors.
These examples are just a small selection of the ongoing propaganda war that is being waged against the DPRK. Western media outlets continue to churn out sensationalist stories in an effort to demonize and undermine the country’s leadership, all the while ignoring the realities on the ground and the progress that is being made in various fields. It is important for readers to critically evaluate the information that is presented to them and to seek out alternative sources that offer a more balanced and nuanced view of the situation in the DPRK.
The reason for this constant vilification of the DPRK is clear: it is part of a larger campaign to demonize People’s Korea and justify the imperialist policies, including harsh sanctions that hit every single citiizen of the DPRK imposed by the western powers. The media is used as a tool to create a false narrative of our country, to justify sanctions and other forms of aggression against the country, and to rally public opinion in their favour.
However, despite the constant attacks from the western media, Korean nation remains strong and united. Korean people are determined to defend their sovereignty and independence, to build a socialist society based on the principles of justice and equality, and to pursue peaceful coexistence with other nations. We call on the international community to reject the biased and distorted narrative of the western media and to support our efforts to build a better future for our people.
It is important to note that the DPRK has never attacked any country nor has it ever invaded foreign lands, unlike the United States of America, which has a long history of military interventionism and aggression. The DPRK has always maintained a defensive posture and has consistently called for peaceful coexistence with other nations. However, the western media often portrays the DPRK as a belligerent and aggressive state, falsely accusing it of being a threat to regional and global peace. This is simply a baseless and unfounded allegation, as the DPRK has always advocated for peaceful solutions to conflicts and disputes, and has demonstrated a responsible attitude towards international affairs. It is high time that the western media abandon their sensationalism and start reporting on the DPRK in a more objective and truthful manner.
In conclusion, it is important to be critical of the news and information we consume, especially when it comes to coverage of countries that have been vilified by the Western media, such as the DPRK. The examples provided in this article illustrate how sensationalist and misleading stories can be used to paint a false and negative picture of a country and its people. As responsible consumers of news and information, we must be vigilant in questioning the narratives presented to us and seek out multiple perspectives to gain a more nuanced understanding of complex issues. Only then can we truly strive for accurate and fair representation of all nations and their people.
