North Korean propaganda on Russian social media
Russia is promoting North Korean narratives to prep the Russian people for bigger plans with its Communist neighbor. We should be paying attention because it will come to English sooner or later.
Executive Summary: This article highlights a surge of pro-North Korea propaganda on Russian social media, portraying Kim Jong Un and North Korean life positively, contrasting it with Western societies, and emphasizing safety, functionality, and strict yet beneficial governance. This content follows a meeting between Putin and Kim Jong Un, suggesting a growing Russia-North Korea relationship. Despite the high-quality production, Russian public reactions are largely skeptical, demonstrating awareness of propaganda. This suggests limited governmental influence over public perception and raises concerns about potential similar content targeting American audiences.
Russian Social Media Glorifies North Korea: A Coordinated Campaign?
It appears Russia is trying to give North Korea a PR makeover on Russian social media. I keep on running into mini drive-by docuseries on North Korea on Russian social media that paint life in North Korea and its leader, Kim Jong Un, in a very positive light.
The content themes read as follows: How the people love Kim Jong Un. North Korea is safe. North Korea protects. How splendid life exists in North Korea free from Western evils. North Korea made a highly functioning communist state. North Korea is strict to benefit the people. North Korea’s negatives are overblown by the West.
Do I consider the possibility that it could be someone creating content online because they're simply interested in North Korea? Absolutely. It is high quality. There is factually-based information in the content. However, the 20-30% spin on the content makes me think there is something amiss.
Then, I recalled a visit between President Putin and Kim Jong Un back in September 2023. Presumably, Mr. Putin and Mr. Un met to discuss partnerships in technology, military as well as economics and trade. The U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan warned bluntly that North Korea had better not sell weapons to Russia for the war in Ukraine.
The Russian government may be attempting to acclimate the Russian people to North Korea. The rational and vested interest, demonstrated in the quality of the content, could mean an elevation in the Russian-North Korean political relationship. This indicates we will likely see an amplification in engagements and arrangements between North Korea and Russia.
The good news is the Russian people are having none of it. When I read the commentaries to this content, it is not pretty. mostly, the comments section is filled with This is nonsense, What garbage, How could you possibly know what it's like to be in North Korea since it's a closed country, and many reasonable expletives.
The Russian people demonstrating their lack of gullibility, uncovers the lack of governmental influence. It is further suspect that the content creators do not defend the North Korean videos in the comments section. By calling out this type of content it shows the hubris of propaganda. It also reveals a lack of respect for the people by the government.
Overall, Russians are educated and sharp people. The main reason Russians recognize propaganda is not a matter of intelligence; their parents explained how Russia works to them. Even if it takes a microscope to see past the contrived marketing.
Ultimately, the Russian government’s lack of soft power internally is one tip I take from this content. Russians are acutely aware of propaganda. The second tip is less clear. Forecasting precisely Russia-North Korea state actions that reveal the value for them to generate this type of persuasion content.
(A) Merely to socialize the relationship to Russians to generate support for political or defense actions.
(B) Russian businesses going to North Korea or worker exchange programs. This seems out of character for North Korea, unless its land and economy are trashed beyond repair.
(C) Kim Jong Un sees its future population in despair. North Korea needs foreign women to support its population growth.
(D) The Devil’s Advocate. The videos are accurate depictions. North Korea’s reality is misrepresented in the West. Highly doubtful since it is a Russian perception of North Korea, people removed from Western media influences.
It is possible this content will be transcribed or dubbed in English and uploaded to American social media. I question whether Americans at large will recognize it for what it represents. Our minds are open and embracing, for better and worse. So far, I have heard two young Americans comment positively on life in North Korea based on unknown references. Is two too few for a red flag or too many for comfort?
On a side note, I couldn't help but wonder how the famous North Korean defector Yeonmi Park would think about the North Korea-Russian content.
~E
©2024 Cyber Humanics