In North Korea in the early 2000s, there was an upsurge in interest in art about South Korea. This was inspired by the rapprochement of the two Koreas, brought about by the Southern-initiated Sunshine Policy.

A popular theme was the repatriation from the South to the North of 63 unconverted North Korean prisoners and spies, which began in 2000 under the initiative of the Kim Dae-jung administration.

Expectedly enough, North Korean official media did not recognize this gesture of goodwill from the South Korean government, and gave all the credit to then-ruler Kim Jong Il, whose personal influence had allegedly