With rice transplanting season underway at farms across North Korea, party committees at Pyongyang universities have been enrolling well-connected students in mobile artistic propaganda troupes to spare them from mandatory farm labor.
“The propaganda troupe at Jang Chol Gu University of Commerce suddenly gained new members in late April on orders from party committee officials. Students view troupe membership as a privilege since members are exempt from farm work,” a source in Pyongyang told Daily NK recently.
North Korean universities operate propaganda troupes that travel to farms, construction sites and major events throughout the year to boost worker morale through artistic performances, including songs and comedy skits.
These propaganda troupes exist even at elite party-run universities such as Kim Il Sung University, Kim Chaek University of Technology and Pyongyang Medical University. Kim Il Sung University is considered one of the country’s top institutions, and its propaganda troupe is renowned for exceptionally talented performers.
These troupes serve a symbolic role as the public face of their universities. To be selected, students are expected to demonstrate skill in areas such as singing, musical instruments, or public speaking.
However, talent alone isn’t enough to secure a spot. Universities expand troupe membership when spring farm mobilization begins, and recommendation from the university party committee carries significant weight in securing placement.
“Even students who lacked the skills to join the propaganda troupe when they entered college still dream of joining when farm mobilization season arrives. Party committee members often instruct the troupe leader or Youth League chair to select specific students for membership,” the source said.
Artistic talent takes the backseat
Notably, Jang Chol Gu University of Commerce is known for admitting many children from wealthy and influential families. Children from such backgrounds typically possess some artistic ability due to early arts education. This is why officials see little issue with placing well-connected students in propaganda troupes, according to the source.
Moreover, artistic talent isn’t particularly crucial since the propaganda troupes are simply sent to farms to encourage workers, rather than staging sophisticated concerts. This provides another justification for party committee interference in troupe selection.
“The propaganda troupes are supposed to focus on artistic performance, but in reality, they’ve become a way to avoid mobilization. Ultimately, students from wealthy and powerful families get an exemption from mandatory farm work. This shows how class privilege is infiltrating the classroom,” the source said.
