Hallyu and Religious Impact in North Korea: Prosecutors and Police Engage in Watching South Korean Films and Adopting Christianity
Kim Eun-deok
Former Prosecutor of Yanggang Prosecutor's Office, North Korea
The spread of Hallyu (Korean Wave) culture and Christianity is causing a political crisis in North Korea. In response, the government, under the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), formed the '109 United Command' (Central Crackdown Team) in the early 2000s. Comprising public security agencies, youth league organizations, and information and communication technology experts, this team also includes public security agencies, youth organizations, and information and communication technology experts including the State Security Department (akin to secret police), military police (secret police commanders), prosecutors, and police officials.
The 109 United Command targets 'impure content' like South Korean dramas, songs, and music, aiming to prevent their viewing, inflow, and distribution. Despite these measures by North Korean authorities, not only ordinary citizens but also security officers, prosecutors, and police officials are increasingly drawn to South Korean entertainment.
Even while serving as a prosecutor in North Korea and being a member of the 109 United Command, I found myself watching South Korean movies and dramas. During holidays, senior officials in the prosecutor's office would often ask for 'something good.' I would discreetly provide them with South Korean movies and dramas that I had gathered during crackdown operations.
Even when engrossed and forgetting to close the doors, local residents, security officers, and patrolling police would stop by and join in watching. Embracing South Korean culture, people of all ages imitated the language and would send text messages using South Korean phrases and tones.
The spread of Hallyu, particularly among North Korean youth, was so pervasive that even military enlistees secretly watched South Korean movies and dramas. Documents I encountered as a prosecutor in North Korea revealed that since Kim Jong-un's rise to power, over 50 soldiers were discharged annually in various provinces for watching South Korean content.
As it spreads throughout North Korea, there is growing interest in all aspects of South Korean society, including politics, economics, and the military. It is significant that North Korean citizens recognize South Korea's development as a product of its pursuit of freedom and democracy.
In essence, North Koreans exposed to Hallyu are coming to the realization that their society harshly infringes upon human rights and freedoms, in stark contrast to South Korea, where citizens genuinely experience rights in a free and democratic society.
North Koreans are increasingly recognizing that life in their country largely amounts to serving the Kim family's dictatorship, rendering it meaningless. This shift in consciousness is fueling growing discontent with Kim Jong-un's regime among both officials and citizens, prompting them to resist in various forms.
Amidst continuing economic struggles, even government officials are beginning to lose faith in Kim Jong-un's policies of 'self-reliance.' Incidents of embezzlement by officials, looting of state property, and widespread draft evasion are on the rise, indicative of the shifting mindset among the populace.
If the Kim regime persists in breaking its promise of 'never letting our people go hungry' and continues to funnel resources into nuclear and missile development, it risks sparking internal rebellion or a public uprising.
As economic challenges persist and Hallyu's influence grows, the half-century-long legitimacy of Juche ideology is eroding, with Christianity increasingly filling the void. Despite the regime's initial crackdown on religious figures, a substantial number of underground Christians remain active within North Korea.
I'd like to share about the underground Christian activities in North Korea through my family's experience. Discharged from the North Korean military in August 1998, I was introduced to Christianity by my mother, who had embraced the faith during her visits to relatives in China since the early 1990s, where she met a South Korean pastor. Deeply moved by her newfound belief, she returned to North Korea and began preaching Christianity to us.
Initially, I was skeptical about Christianity. In North Korea, where believing in anything other than the Suryong (supreme leader) was unthinkable, it was hard for me to accept my mother's words. Yet, amid growing social contradictions, escalating conflicts, and worsening living conditions, I found myself with nothing else to believe in.
Kim Jong-un and the WPK were unable to ease the people's hardships. Echoing my mother's belief, I came to realize that only God had the capacity to intervene in such matters, and I grew to believe that only God had the power to change my fate.
My mother consistently reminded me, "God created the heavens, the earth, and all people. Jesus Christ, who rules over all, is the master of our destiny. He grants us strength and blessings." Following her lead, I began to pray with her, asking God to watch over our family. I made a commitment to lead a life of kindness, trusting that Jesus was overseeing each step I took. In time, all twelve members of our family, including my brother, who was a police officer, embraced Christianity. We eventually fled to South Korea, where we now enjoy freedom. We are forever grateful to Jesus Christ for guiding us safely to South Korea, where we live contentedly.
Despite the Kim Jong-un regime intensifying its crackdowns on Hallyu and Christianity, it cannot quell the aspirations of North Korean citizens who view South Korea as a beacon of hope. While the regime may rely on nuclear and missile capabilities for protection, Kim Jong-un's rule, having lost the hearts of its people, is unlikely to endure indefinitely.