Analysis of North Korean Media
ISHIMARU Jiro, editor of Rimjin-gang,
Paek Chang-ryong, reporter
The photo compellingly illustrates that Jang Song-thaek and Kim Jong-un are equal. It seems that everyone in the theatre, including Kim Kyung-hee (Jang’s wife) and Choe Ryong-hae (one of top power men) is giving a big hand to Kim and Jang. (Quoted from the article of Rodong Shinmun reporting band concert for the celebration of Kim Il-sung’s birthday on April 15, 2013)
It is required to show courteous manner to the ruler with the heart of the highest respect, which is common sense behavior, regardless of rank.
At the conference all attendants must stand still when required to stand and they must look straight when asked to be seated.
But Jang has such an attitude as to ignore Kim Jong-un. I felt that Jang would be severelyattacked by his impiousness when I saw that video on the internet. Some of the North Korean people must also have been shocked while watching this on TV.
North Korean media were censored several times before releasing the images. If those images may damage the idolization of the top leader, then they must be perfectly edited. It is the characteristics of the North Korean media. In this context, it is easily perceived that Jang Song-thaek or his aide were wielded strong influence on the official media since Jang was standing out in the pictures.
Kim Il-sung (left) and Kim Jong-il on-site guidance in 1985 (Quoted from “Ourselves Together”)
A defector from North Korea told me after seeing pictures like these. “How dare Jang Song-thaek take such a bold pose beside Kim Jong-un? Did he get such a power now? Won’t it be impossible to see Jang’s portrait on the wall?”
*Portrait: It is an obligation to hang the portrait of the ruler on walls in public facilities, public places and every household in North Korea.
Kang Ji-won, a defector reporter from North Korea, at the editing bureau of Rimjin-gang, also said that, “Jang’s position in the left side of the photo was that of Kim Il-sung. I was confident that North Korea was meeting Jang Song-thaek’s era.”
