He's not wrong.
Posted on 06/12/2021 5:59:03 AM PDT by Eddie01
Back in December, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un intensified the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) culture war against South Korean media by introducing heftier labor camp sentences for individuals caught indulging in such entertainment. While the maximum punishment was set at five years of hard labor, it is now five to 15 years.
As K-pop fandom continues to grow in South Korea and other parts of the world, the North Korean government and the DPRK leader are reiterating the country's stance on South Korean music and media.
The 37-year-old leader of the DPRK recently referred to K-pop as a "vicious cancer," that has the potential to corrupt North Korean youths with unsavory "attire, hairstyles, speeches, behaviors," according to the New York Times, citing state media.
North Korean state media emphasized that, if left unchecked, K-pop and related forms of South Korean entertainment could make the DPRK "crumble like a damp wall."
Kim's anti-K-pop sentiments are nothing new, as the North Korean leader spoke out in April about what he perceived to be "a serious change" in the "ideological and mental state" of North Korean youths.
Furthermore, due to recent legislation, North Koreans caught indulging in South Korean media can be sentenced to five to 15 years of hard labor.
"Young North Koreans think they owe nothing to Kim Jong Un," Jung Gwang Il, a defector from North Korea, told the Times.
"He must reassert his ideological control on the young if he doesn’t want to lose the foundation for the future of his family’s dynastic rule," added Jung, who reportedly runs a smuggling ring to transport K-pop into the DPRK.
Relatedly, the South Korean government has instituted fines and jail time for those caught sending material critical of the North Korean government across the border.
These acts, typically carried out by human rights organizations and North Korean defectors, now carry up to three years in prison and a maximum fine of $27,000.
I have no idea what K Pop is so I can’t comment
Are they talking about that vicious cancer Korn Pop that Biden gave what for to?
K Pop is like 90s Boy Bands but with young Koreans and with probably more girl singers than boy singers. Very flavor of the month. Emphasis on teeny bopper sex appeal.
He's not wrong.
He’s probably right to worry. It’s been said that rock and roll and bluejeans brought down the USSR, at least in a cultural sense.
What is K Pop? And do I really want to know?
Korean pop music. Think the 90s boy bands with better choreography.
5 to 15 years hard labor for listening to K-Pop.
Life in prison inspired by Gangster Rap to murder.
toss up
Not sure I disagree with Un on this one. Wonder how Un feels about gangsta rap?
K Pop is a genre. South Korean song and dance groups. They are talented and well trained. The genre is very popular among the American teen idol audience. It’s a rage. It’s dangerous to NK because it is good. I personally don’t get it. The kids around here have been infatuated with it for years
They’ve dominated the Grammys. They are nice people. Good role models for hard work team work
If you’ve been at McDonald’s lately you’ve noticed the BTS meal. That’s the most prominent group.
They give NK people hope. That’s to dictators like water to Wicked Witch
Kim Jong Un is too fat and sluggish to dance Gangnam Style and if he can’t do it, nobody can.
And so, Jong Un lets us know he is a J-Pop fan.
“ Very flavor of the month.”
They’ve been popular for years. They’ve dominated the Grammys. When the kids here ‘make me’ watch it I have to act. I do not get it but I encourage it. It is nice and they have an inspirational effect on their audience. They’re good
But they’ve been around and popular for years.
Anyone wanting to have a conversation with a niece, granddaughter or so would be smart to check this out.
LOL! ...And outed Mouse Ears as a K-Pop fan!
He’s worried
Fun exercise - replace “K-Pop” with “Hollywood” and see if the article applies to America.
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