Gentle soldiers, noble deaths: How North Korean art glorifies war in daily life



Features Gentle soldiers, noble deaths: How North Korean art glorifies war in daily life ‘Military first’ media warms of ever-lurking danger, while depicting soldiers as protectors to maintain social harmony Tatiana Gabroussenko May 20, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A screenshot from the music video for the North Korean song "Speak to the Soldier of Love" \| Image: KCTV The Korean Peninsula has not seen a major conflict for over seven decades, but that’s hardly obvious when looking at North Korean popular culture. Militaristic images and themes dominate the books, movies, TV and music of the DPRK, which routinely present the country as on the verge of war against enemies standing at the gates — or worse, already in its midst. The Korean Peninsula has not seen a major conflict for over seven decades, but that’s hardly obvious when looking at North Korean popular culture. Militaristic images and themes dominate the books, movies, TV and music of the DPRK, which routinely present the country as on the verge of war against enemies standing at the gates — or worse, already in its midst. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

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Gentle soldiers, noble deaths: How North Korean art glorifies war in daily life

‘Military first’ media warms of ever-lurking danger, while depicting soldiers as protectors to maintain social harmony

Tatiana Gabroussenko May 20, 2025

Gentle soldiers, noble deaths: How North Korean art glorifies war in daily life

A screenshot from the music video for the North Korean song "Speak to the Soldier of Love" | Image: KCTV

The Korean Peninsula has not seen a major conflict for over seven decades, but that’s hardly obvious when looking at North Korean popular culture.

Militaristic images and themes dominate the books, movies, TV and music of the DPRK, which routinely present the country as on the verge of war against enemies standing at the gates — or worse, already in its midst.

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Gentle soldiers, noble deaths: How North Korean art glorifies war in daily life

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