North Korea is intensifying propaganda in a bid to shore up internal stability following the public ouster and arrest of former second-in-command Jang Sung Taek.
An editorial released today in the state periodical Rodong Sinmun announced, “The Suryeong ideology and leadership is the lifeblood of revolution and construction,” and, “All Party members walk together in step, following only a single leader.”
The road toward “victory for the revolution” was similarly emphasized, in a move interpreted as an appeal to North Koreans to pledge their full support to Kim.
“In whatever place, and whatever sort of wind is blowing, even if the world changes one thousand times, our military and our people will solely and unconditionally support and respect their leader, and will eternally travel the same road as the Party,” the piece went on.
“Revolutionary loyalty of unchanging, pure reverence to the Suryeong leadership” was deemed “eternal,” steadfast in the face of any “temptation or coercion.”
Another article entitled, “There Is No One Except Comrade Kim Jong Eun; Our United Solidarity Is Stronger Than Ever,” contained responses from party members and laborers on the dismissal of Jang, and the lyrics of a song entitled, “The Revolutionary Forces Follow Only the Leadership of the Marshall.”
Kang Yong Ae (pseudonym), a former employee of the Chosun Union of Democratic Women, shed light on this strategy, “Every time North Korea feels external pressure, like U.S. sanctions a deterioration in the North-South relationship for instance, they get scared they will lose the popular sentiment and so they systematically arm themselves with ideology. In this situation they are scared that the regime will grow unstable, so they push ideology on the people.”
