In recent weeks, Korean Central Television (KCTV) and the Rodong Sinmun newspaper have launched a near-daily barrage of content praising Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un’s leadership while condemning the United States, South Korea, and other “imperialist aggressors.” Analysts say the uptick in state propaganda correlates with recent internal economic strain and external geopolitical pressures.
“Whenever the regime feels threatened—by sanctions, food shortages, or military pressure—it turns to ideological reinforcement,” said Dr. Lee Sang-hyun, a North Korea expert at the Sejong Institute. “It’s a predictable but effective strategy: tighten internal control through nationalistic pride and fear of foreign enemies.”
A Coordinated Media Blitz
The campaign features new anthems, heroic narratives of “model citizens,” dramatic reenactments of anti-American resistance, and idealized portrayals of life under the Workers’ Party. Children in school uniforms have been shown reciting loyalty oaths to Kim Jong-un, while workers are praised for "voluntary" extra labor to support national self-reliance.
This week, KCTV aired a 90-minute documentary titled “The People’s Fortress: Our Glorious Path,” a slickly produced film mixing stock footage, interviews with loyal citizens, and fiery speeches from Kim. The film denounces Western sanctions as “inhumane economic warfare” and calls on North Koreans to “turn adversity into strength.”
Targeting the Youth
A striking feature of the new campaign is its heavy focus on youth indoctrination. Propaganda-themed smartphone apps, comic books, and social media-style videos—intended for internal consumption—are being used to spread regime narratives in a style mimicking global youth culture, albeit with strictly controlled content.
“Kim Jong-un understands that the biggest threat to his rule is generational,” said Katherine Cho, a defector and activist. “Young people are curious, especially about the outside world. This new wave of propaganda is designed to preempt that curiosity.”
The International Message
Beyond its domestic audience, Pyongyang is also attempting to shape international perception. English-language editorials in state-run outlets blame the West for North Korea’s economic woes and portray the country as a victim of a double standard on nuclear policy. One article claims that “unprovoked aggression” by the U.S. and South Korea justifies North Korea’s continued weapons development.
Western governments have dismissed these messages as disinformation. A U.S. State Department spokesperson called the recent wave of North Korean propaganda “a familiar playbook used to distract from its own failures and escalate tensions.”
A Sign of Insecurity?
Some observers believe the heightened propaganda campaign signals vulnerability rather than confidence. With food insecurity worsening, sanctions biting, and China exerting quiet pressure behind the scenes, the regime may be using ideological warfare to suppress dissent and maintain internal cohesion.
“Propaganda in North Korea is not just about glorifying the leader—it’s about survival,” said Dr. Andrei Lankov, a historian of the regime. “When the volume increases, it often means the foundations are less stable than they appear.”
Conclusion
While the world continues to grapple with North Korea’s military ambitions and human rights record, Pyongyang is doubling down on the one tool it has always wielded with precision—propaganda. Whether the campaign will shore up domestic unity or signal deeper cracks in the regime remains an open question.