NORTH KOREA: THE ROLE OF PROPAGANDA IN THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE KIM REGIME

Propaganda has been used throughout history to influence and sway public opinion, particularly in totalitarian states. The aim of this thesis is to examine how the Kim regime in North Korea has employed propaganda for decades in order to gain and maintain power over its citizens. Its scope spans from the Korean War and the beginning of Kim Il Sung’s rule through the modern era and the newest Kim dictator. The thesis is organized into five chapters. Chapter I, “Defining Propaganda and Exploring the Current Environment, ” provides a description of propaganda and the strict measures of social and information control in North Korea. Chapter II, “History, Juche and Cultural Influences, ” discusses its distinctive homegrown propaganda and ideology influenced by the former Soviet Union as well as Japanese and Chinese cultures. Chapter III, “Exploring the Kim Cult: Kim Il Sung,” chronicles the background and cult of personality built around the first leader