'Russian deployment heroes’ stained with youth's blood (4) Suicide Heroes Become New Brainwashing Material... How Can We Break This Vicious Cycle?

In footage released by Korean Central TV on August 22, many of those portrayed as heroes were individuals who chose to blow themselves up with grenades rather than become prisoners of war. We examine reports from ASIAPRESS's reporting partners showing how these cases—tragic victims of indoctrination—are being used as educational materials in North Korea to inspire a vicious cycle of new heroism. We discuss what the international community can do about the dangerous heroism indoctrination currently taking place in North Korea. (JEON Sung-jun / KANG Ji-won)

'Russian deployment heroes’ stained with youth's blood (1)  Creating a ‘new hero’ myth through propaganda

◆Russia-Ukraine War Suicide Heroes Become New Propaganda Material

Mr. A, a North Korean defector from the Storm Corps, evaluates the propaganda value of the 'Russia-Ukraine War heroes' being promoted by the Kim Jong-un regime as follows:

"From the perspective of the Kim Jong-un regime, which emphasizes heroism, the propaganda value would be tremendous. In the past, they educated and propagandized soldiers using examples of heroes from the anti-Japanese struggle and wartime periods. But the anti-Japanese struggle is a story from nearly 100 years ago, and even the Korean War is already over 70 years past. How much emotional resonance can that have? But these Russia-Ukraine War heroes are from a current war, contemporary heroes. Being realistic examples, the effect will be much greater."

According to information from ASIAPRESS's reporting partners in North Korea, the authorities' work to transform the war dead into heroes began in August.

◆Heroism Propaganda Confirmed on the Ground

In late September, a reporting partner residing in the northern region reported:

"Documentary films promoting the heroes are frequently broadcast, and in study sessions and lectures, they are extensively introduced and promoted as 'youth who sacrificed themselves for the homeland and will long remain in history as heroes.'"

The reporting partner also conveyed the atmosphere at Women's Union study sessions:

"At the Women's Union study session held on September 27, they also screened a documentary film. Since everyone was female, they shed tears imagining their sons or children. Some people were moved to trembling. There were also people who cried along with seeing the Marshal (Kim Jong-un) sobbing."

The reaction of ordinary residents also aligns with the authorities' intentions:

"It would be impossible to voice criticism or complaints about the war dead, and we hardly hear such things around us. There are even voices saying it's fortunate that they died for the homeland and will be remembered forever. Schools are conducting campaigns to learn from and follow the heroes."

These various reports show that the Russian deployment of war dead have already established themselves as a new heroic narrative throughout North Korean society. A circular structure is being completed where heroism education that starts in schools is reinforced in the military and then spreads throughout society as a whole.

◆The Antidote to Brainwashing Is Freedom of Information

The reason North Korea's heroism indoctrination system is so powerful is due to its monopoly on information. People forced to accept only one narrative, one set of values, and one heroic image don't even know that other options exist.

However, as external information flows in, the illusion of this system is revealed. As they encounter different models of heroes, different values, and different ways of life, North Koreans finally gain the opportunity to choose. This is why a single USB memory stick or radio carrying news from outside can tear down walls of indoctrination built up over 70 years.

The reason the Kim Jong-un regime is so desperate to block information is that they know well that external information is a mirror reflecting the distorted illusion of the heroes they promote, and the most dangerous enemy that could shake the foundation of their rule.

The 'absence of other options' that Mr. A emphasized is a result created by the information blockade. North Korean soldiers choose self-detonation not only because of courage or loyalty, but because they have lived in a thoroughly controlled environment where they cannot imagine other possibilities.

Ultimately, the true liberation of North Korean people will begin with freedom of information. If the tragedy of young people who fell on Ukrainian battlefields is not to be repeated, external information that allows them to imagine different lives must reach them. That is the only way to break the vicious cycle of indoctrination that has continued for 70 years. (End)