In search of miracles and substitutes: North Korea's potato revolution

Analysis

In search of miracles and substitutes: North Korea’s potato revolution

"The potato is good for people’s health" – Comrade Kim Jong Il

Tatiana Gabroussenko February 13, 2014

In search of miracles and substitutes: North Korea’s potato revolution

Ray Cunningham

Among the propaganda campaigns promoting various food substitutes during the “arduous march”, the most significant one was kamja (nongsa) hyǒngmyǒng, or “the potato revolution” initiated by Kim Jong Il.

While visiting Russia in 2000, Kim Jong Il expressed his concerns to a high ranking official as follows:

About the Author

Tatiana Gabroussenko

Tatiana Gabroussenko obtained her PhD in East Asian Studies at the Australian National University. She is currently a professor of North Korean studies at Korea University, Seoul. Her latest book, "Soldiers on the Cultural Front: Developments in the Early History of North Korean Literature and Literary Policy," was included in the Choice magazine list of Outstanding Academic Titles of 2012.

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