How Should People And Communities Of Faith?

1984 demonstrates a dystopian society in Oceania by presenting a relentless dictator, Big Brother, who uses his power to control the minds of his people and to ensure that his power never exhausts. Aspects of 1984 are evidently established in components of society in North Korea. With both of these society’s under a dictator’s rule, there are many similarities that are distinguished between the two. Orwell’s 1984 becomes parallel to the world of dystopia in North Korea by illustrating a nation that remains isolated under an almighty ruler.

This report is a cultural analysis of the country of North Korea. The paper itself analyzes the history, geography, education, language, economy, and politics of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea known simply as: North Korea. Group 4 chose this particular country out of curiosity and the want to find out what the nation was like. Not many facts are known about North Korea and its shady past. This project explores everything from the difficult relationships between the Korean people and their government, to the famines and floods that threatened the entire survival of the country.

Such principles that resonate with many of the citizens include the fact that Goldstein is an enemy of Big Brother, their leader. Therefore, The Party naturally engages their citizens into an activity that directs hate towards Goldstein in which, “the face of Emmanuel Goldstein, the Enemy of the People, has flashed onto the screen” (11) which then prompts a public backlash against him. This scenario in which propaganda is used to alter the public’s mindset is also frequently seen in North Korea’s government. The government along with North Korea’s leader aim to “create an image of god like proportions about themselves by controlling the information that their citizens have about them, and using their own selected media to sway the people’s thoughts and opinions” (Martinez). In order to fulfill these requirements, North Korea has a history of brainwashing their citizens by providing them false information. These tactics include dealing with many negative situations that involve their government.

Life in North Korea’s high contrast with life in the United States is marked by nonexistent personal freedoms and harsh punishments. One example of restricted freedom in shown in their leader, Kim Jong-un. He, who they address as Dear Leader, is treated like

Most people live a life without freedom; it could be because of religion, government, family, or authoritative power. Unfortunately, some people live without freedom to an extent in which they have no true thoughts for themselves. Whether it's through the leading powers of their country or by the process of being brainwashed, certain people live their lives mainly for the superior ambitions of their leaders. In North Korea, the citizens, since birth, are meant to honour Kim Jong Un and all his ideals. Similarly, in George Orwell's 1984, Big Brother and the party are the destruction of souls. As analyzed in Mailto Href and Leela Jacintos “The Country Where Big Brother is watching”, North Korea is a replay of George Orwell's 1984 in many ways.

The Secret State of North Korea offered a great look into what basic things North Koreans are lacking. Even within the realm of Communism. Lack of freedoms, lack of food, lack of community, lack of trust, lack of a social society, lack of programs for children, lack of equality, and a lack of information. When Kim Il-Sung created North Korea, the government was based on Marxism and Leninism, called “Juche.” Just as the Soviets, the North Koreans followed suite with massive inequality between the government officials and the common people. The documentary showed its viewers what the government is omnipresent in the everyday lives of its people, so much so that recordings of daily life are illegal, and “random” searches take place commonly.

North Korea’s use of flooding their civilians heads with images of the “Eternal President” and the “Supreme Leader” serves as the same reminder of their overlords as the constant bombardment of “Big Brother is watching you” in Orwell’s novel. The use of this visual stimulant serves as a reminder that no matter where you go, the powers that

Cultures are unparalleled with North Korea maintaining a communist government ran by the Kim Family for generations rather than a democracy like the United States. North Korea consists of a population conditioned from a very young age to accept the words and deeds of the elder and junior Kim’s to be the absolute truth. “The greatest meaning in life lies in bullets and bombs.” With a society referred into three categories as basic, chaotic and enemy, depending on the background and social origins. With a culture that operates as a communist Government raising human rights issues in addition to concerns over nuclear and chemical weapons. Human rights are nonexistent in the country. Officials above Deputy Prime Minister Level are provided vehicles at state expenses. Party operates at a level of discipline surpassing that of the military. For example, “public self-criticism is the punishment for being a minute late after lunch. Surveillance is much tighter to include listening devices at home and watching their every move.” Corruption is highest in the government trading and foreign exchange departments. Almost equally severe in departments responsible for housing and employment. Nuclear and chemical weapons have always been an interest between the two. A Stalemate, escalation, or an agreement.

Within the book the topics of domestic surveillance and the use of organizations to uphold this surveillance was discussed. The control of the ideologies of the people in North Korea and the importance of that control is shown in this quote "Within any society, dominant elites are capable of controlling the inflow of information and influencing the values and behavior of the majority...This is why the organized life is so important for the continuous survival of North Korea's system. It should be seen as one of, admittedly, many ways of exposing North Koreans to the information the regime considers necessary for manufacturing the "correct" attitude to the world" (Lankov Kwak Cho 210). The organizations discussed within the research article

In relation to this, the North Korean government will take citizens from their families, placing them in Prison Camps for disagreeing with the teachings of the Communist government. Both governments have a never­ending thirst for power, which results in the civilian’s lives having more and more regulations. The parties have inner party members, who have more privileges than the common people. The inner party in North Korea has an internal cellular phone network, unavailable to the common people (Lawrence). The citizens in both societies are brought up to believe that their leader resembles a God.

North Korea does not allow its citizens to watch foreign television such as TV dramas nor do they allow people to own personal bibles. North Korea’s “regime is afraid of potential changes in people’s mind-sets and is trying to scare off people.” (Schwartz 1) Unlike other countries, North Korea is trying to seek control towards their own people. Many of the foreign television are smuggled in from South Korea being on DVD’s & flash drives. North Korea is afraid of people rebelling towards them when watching foreign TV. People seem to gather ideas in their head. The government manages all of the television and media. People will be executed if caught watching foreign TV which is commonly the case. People are not allowed to own bibles. It’s a violation of human rights which the North does not allow. “The bible is a good ticket to a prison or concentration camp” (Schwartz 1). There is no such thing as a ‘God’. Kim Jong Un makes himself appear as one with portraits of his in people’s homes. It’s a way to make himself seem as a great leader to his people. Kim Jong Un is fearful of his own people. He needs to keep control to prevent rebellion.^ There are

In every world publication they sent out, they recall a country that is successful and coming together as one. Stating that the citizens never suffer from famine or poverty and that citizens would sacrifice themselves for their leader(10 most censored Countries (2006). However, everyone knows that this is false and that the country's people are in trouble. One of North Korea's recent lie from within the country is the reconciliation of the Munitions Train explosion. The government and police force reported that the citizens displayed “spirt of guarding the leader with their very lives.” Everyone in the proximity tried to save the leaders posters and reminders before they searched for their families or even saving household goods.(10 most censored Countries (2015) However, they completely skipped over the thousands of citizens injured, the 150 plus citizens killed and the amount of damage the town took. The government took a major event in the country and turned it into something about the leader, leaving people wondering about the damage and living situation citizens were left in.

Barbara Demick, an American journalist once wrote, “One of the ways the North Korea regime has kept power is by keeping its people ignorant of the living standards in the outside world. That's the underlying lie that supports the regime” (“Barbara Demick Quotes”). North Korean citizens do not believe their country is “normal”, instead Koreans believe their country is better off. At birth, North Koreans are oppressed into thinking their way of life is the best. If a citizen were to disobey these protocols their punishment would be atrocious. Hence, Frontline’s The Secret State of North Korea reveals how ordinary citizens are resisting one of the world’s most oppressive regimes. In the movie documentary, viewers are able to see North Korea in a way they have never seen it before. Likewise, viewers become aware of the way North Koreans are brought up from birth and many experiences they have throughout their lifetime.

Understanding how North Korea as a country defines itself in a changing world. Where do they derive their customs and practices, political standings and military power? Define North Korea’s history leading into the modern age and define its culture and characteristics and how they interact with the world today. Understanding a subject as broad as the term culture begins where the culture began with the birth of civilization and the people that influenced it. There are many factors that play a role in the shaping of a nation none so much as turmoil and conflict and the Korean peninsula saw its fair share for the better part of a millennia. A complete statistical breakdown of North Korea shows a struggling nation that strongly depends on

Given the poor state of the nation's economy, North Korea's government has to rely upon the cult of personality in order to keep the population in check. Most art in the country venerates, either directly or indirectly, the 'great leader' Kim il-Sung or his successor, the current North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. Among the population, there is a strong level of belief in such apparent absurdities as the idea that Kim il-Sung created the entire world, or that Kim Jong-il controls the weather (Martin, 2004).