There is a growing degree of interest in the case of nine North Korean defectors who, aiming for South Korean waters, ended up being taken in off Japan’s west coast on September 13th.
Although cases of ‘North Korean boat people’ such as these have happened with some regularity since 2000, with the first case, that of Kim Man Chul and his family, occurring in January 1987, this case is different because, according to the Japanese media, one of the defectors claims that he decided to defect after watching South Korean TV dramas and film.
Also, these defectors said, “I heard from the market that it is possible to live a more abundant and free life in other countries like South Korea, using electricity anytime and to live in freedom. I thought I couldn’t see a future in North Korea.”
We have known for some time that the so-called Korean Wave, mostly South Korean movies, dramas and pop music, is changing North Koreans’ perceptions, but the fact that it has become the basis for the defection of a whole group of people has fresh implications.
This shows clearly that the Korean Wave is not merely some cultural interest or passing phenomenon in the North, it is also possible for it to function as a catalyst of change in North Korean society. Bearing in mind that the spread of new information can effect political change in closed, controlled states, it seems that the inflow of outside information into North Korea could also be a major way of effecting change in the North Korean people’s perceptions and on the society as a whole.
Experiencing South Korea’s development through its movies or TV dramas, above all North Koreans are coming to recognize that South Korea is completely different from the official propaganda they’ve had drummed into them until now. When North Koreans begin to recognize the scale of progress in South Korea in terms of economic development, freedom and human rights, it can clearly lead to social change.
If the Korean Wave really is effecting change in North Koreans’ perceptions, we need to contemplate ways to raise the North Korean people’s capacity to come into contact with the aspects of South Korean popular culture that they have shown an interest in. Now we need to go beyond marveling at the phenomenon itself, and begin to prepare concrete and practical means to address what should be sent north, and how.
Psychological analysis of changing cultural tastes in North Korea is required for the purposes of accelerate systemic change in North Korea through the media. According to one piece of research, ‘Korean Wave, Shaking North Korea’ (published by Neulpum Plus), North Koreans really do experience changing political perceptions through South Korean footage, and within that a longing for ‘freedom’.
Tracking the process of feeling freedom, then sympathy and finally desire, North Koreans observe the South Korean lifestyle (daily necessities, leisure culture, language and style (clothing, hair and makeup)), empathize with and then try to imitate. South Korean films do not deal directly with politics, but the watchers experience it indirectly through the depiction of various expressions of ‘freedom’, and their appetite and will to participate are aroused.
To approach North Koreans in a more familiar, comfortable way, getting in more CDs of South Korean movies or dramas, and in particular sending USBs or CDs containing South Korean pop songs or music videos, is meaningful.
According to one North Korean defector whom I met recently, “Listening to South Korean songs just makes me feel good. I hum a song without realizing it. Our songs are all about political ideas, but South Chosun’s are about freedom and love between men and women, and I like them very much.” And according to a recent North Korea-China border survey conducted by Daily NK in May, “South Korean songs are so popular that they get played at farewell parties for people joining the military.”
There is meaning in using South Korean popular culture strategically to captivate North Korean hearts and narrow the cognitive distance between North and South Korea during the future process of integration.
South Korean dramas and movies, the motivation for a life-risking defection by wooden fishing boat, can change the whole North Korean society. We need to grow into the role of supporter promoting change in North Korea, rather than just observing that change. I’m hopeful that assistance will be forthcoming.
