Propaganda posters reveal life in North Korea
The DPRK has always favored using propaganda posters to convey government messages to the general public. And the collection of propaganda posters below also reveals many things about life in North Korea.
Katharina Zellweger, who lived in Pyongyang for five years while working for the Swiss government, has collected more than 100 North Korean propaganda paintings. Twenty-five of them were recently exhibited in Hong Kong.
Agriculture is the top priority. |
The prominent role of women
"Make the fall fertile when the seeds and fruits ripen." |
“The farmers in the posters are mostly smiling girls, promoting new agricultural policies with rabbit farming and more cotton production,” Ms. Zellweger said.
Necessary mass media dissemination
Like many other places in the world, the North Korean government uses propaganda posters as a means of disseminating information to the public. In North Korea, access to the internet is severely limited while television channels are few and far between, so propaganda posters are an effective way to spread information to many places in this country.
"Let's take better care of Pyongyang, the capital of innovation". |
North Korea also uses anti-smoking posters. In 2005, the country joined the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Reflecting developments in North Korea
North Korean propaganda posters can also be seen as a testament to change within the country. Over time, the policy priorities of the ruling regime are reflected in the posters.
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Most are still hand drawn.
"Let's raise more herbivores!" |
Literacy rate evidence
Most propaganda posters in North Korea include enlarged text. CNN (USA) reported that education in North Korea is free and compulsory. Although North Korea's literacy rate is not necessarily 100% as announced by the country's officials, Ms. Zellweger said that the design of the posters shows that most North Koreans can read.
Color matters too
North Korean propaganda posters are often brightly colored. But beyond the use of bright colors to attract attention, this choice also has its own meaning.
"Spinning the top is fun" |
“The traditional Korean color symbolism is based on five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. And most Korean propaganda posters use five primary colors: blue, red, yellow, white, and black,” Zellweger explains.
“These colors all have meanings. Red is the color of passion and socialism. Blue is synonymous with peace, harmony, and integrity and is often used in educational posters. Black represents darkness and evil and is often used in anti-American and anti-Japanese posters. Yellow is a symbol of glory and prosperity,” Zellweger analyzed.
