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Unlike South Korea, North Korea’s involvement on the global stage remains
limited due to the nation’s ideals of self-reliance. Dr. Seunghee Ha, a research
fellow of the Institute of North Korean studies at Dongguk University
discusses North Korea’s efforts to meet international standards by "revamping
its cultural infrastructure, reframing its music to befit that of a civilized nation,
and by developing its informational infrastructure to reflect current trends in
media." As an example, she highlights North Korea’s efforts to provide its
people with a more civilized lifestyle through the construction of the
Yangdok Hot Spring Resort which Kim Jong Un considers as his symbolic
administrative achievement. In addition, Dr. Ha also adds that North Korea’s
attempt at globalization can also be seen through the introduction of the
Samjiyon Orchestra, the "Pyongyang International Vocal Competition" as well
as its New Year Eve’s concert by which the nation showcased its international
and musical capabilities and use of art for state propaganda. In terms of
media and technology, Dr. Ha brings attention to North Korea’s ambition to
reach a wider international audience. North Korea has not only selected
YouTube as its new medium for propaganda through the channel New DPRK
but has also developed various support programs and applications including
a virtual meeting system called Rakwon. Although North Korea argues that its
globalization efforts aim to improve its people’s living standards, Dr. Ha
cautions against the state’s mindset of viewing its people as "objects of
enlightenment" and questions whether the nation’s acts are truly for the people. [Read Commentary]
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