[imText1]On the 1st, the Rodong Shinmun (a North Korean state newspaper) published two articles titled “Death and Ruin to Our Nation, Road to Subjugation,” “One Step Compromise, a Hundred Steps Compromise” claiming that “The imperialist’s sugarcoated “aid” is the road to death” and urged “We must not be disillusioned by the capitalists.” Censorship of thought is also being enforced.
◆ Article Summary
– The last time a country somewhere in Africa aimed for anti-imperialism and autonomy, the country displayed acts of suicide by dismantling its equipment that was obtained with difficultly with their own hands and ended up offering it to the U.S. Although we were hopeful of the U.S. promise of “aid,” this was all idle talk. The head of our country was promised by western countries such as the U.S. to provide compensation for the sacrifice of our weapons of mass destruction but they have done absolutely nothing for us. Nevertheless, what’s the point in washing tears with a fist. (Article: Death and ruin to our nation, road to subjugation)
– If we fight with the imperialists and take one step back, we will be made to take tens, hundreds of steps back. Ultimately, one compromise will be succeeded by a series of endless compromises and in the end, we will lose our national dignity and autonomy and our fate will be destined to death and subjugation, a miserable slave. Compromising in the confrontation with the U.S, only means surrender and ruin. (Article: One step compromise, a hundred steps compromise)
◆ Article Analysis
The two articles of the Rodong Shinmun argue that nukes must not be sacrificed at the six party talks in return for economic aid. The articles can be analyzed in two ways.
Firstly, it is showing in an external manner, a hard line where, “We will not sacrifice our nukes.” On the other hand, it could mean that there is an opinion within North Korea suggesting that North Korea should make a semi-compromise and receive economic aid at the six party talks. If citizens shared no such desires, there would be no reason for these articles to exist.
As a result, the Rodong Shinmun uses the example of “Country somewhere in Africa” as a South African republic which sacrificed nukes while claiming, “One step compromise, a hundred steps compromise.”
Last November 12~14th, North Korean authorities conducted lectures proclaiming the fact that they were a “Nuclear state” and throughout the country propaganda rallies related to nukes have been taking place.
North Korean authorities continue to argue that the people must not put their hopes in the six party talks. The “9.19 Mutual Agreement” states that if North Korea begins to forfeit its nuclear program then the international community would provide economic aid such as energy supply. Citizens aware of this fact are eagerly awaiting the external aid that would revitalize the economy.
Nonetheless, there is a need to impede the aspirations of these people as authorities are more pressed to uphold the regime. Further, the newspaper claimed that “Socialist countries of the European bloc dazzled by the West’s aid bait began “reform” and “reorganization,” but the “aid promise” by imperialists was only sugarcoated” and urged citizens not to have illusions of reform change.
Secondly, the articles reflect that nuclear armaments will not by any means be sacrificed. The newspapers focuses on the point that “A country somewhere in Africa displayed acts of suicide by dismantling its equipment obtained with difficultly by their own hands and ended up offering it to the U.S,” claiming that sacrificing nukes is no different from surrendering the regime.
