YouTube Channel 'NEW DPRK' Reveals Daily Life of North Korean Children
Netizens Debate "Unique Feel of Daily Life Disclosure" vs. "Blatant Regime Propaganda Videos Should Be Blocked"
Ministry of Unification States "North Korean Videos Not Banned but No Third-Party Distribution Allowed"
On the 23rd, the YouTube channel 'NEW DPRK' uploaded a 'vlog' video featuring a 7-year-old North Korean child sharing their daily life. Photo by YouTube channel 'NEW DPRK' video capture
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Min Jun-young] Recently, a so-called North Korean version of 'vlog' YouTube channels capturing the daily lives of North Korean residents has sparked controversy. Opinions are divided between criticisms that it spreads North Korean ideology and views that find it refreshing.
A vlog is a combination of 'video' and 'blog,' referring to content where individuals film and share their daily lives.
On the 23rd, a video was uploaded on the YouTube channel 'NEW DPRK' featuring a child who says, "Hello. What should I show you today?" while revealing their daily life.
The child in the video is a 7-year-old living in Pyongyang, shown writing at home or practicing with an abacus. The video also shows a piano performance titled "We Are Flower Blossoms, We Are Flower Butterflies," depicting the everyday life of an ordinary family.
This child appeared three times starting from the 26th of last month under the title "Sujin at Home." Due to similarities with the popular domestic YouTuber 'Boram Tube,' the channel has earned the nickname "North Korean Boram Tube."
Besides this video, the channel also revealed scenes of a female host learning Taekwondo and residents going to plant trees. Additionally, a female cast member conducting a "hamburger mukbang" (broadcast showing eating food) attracted attention.
Although the videos appear to be filmed by ordinary North Korean residents themselves, these accounts are presumed to be 'external propaganda media' produced to promote the North Korean regime.
Experts analyzed that since internet access is strictly controlled in North Korea, these videos are unlikely to have been uploaded individually by residents.
No Hee-chang, director of the Unification Culture Research Institute, explained, "These videos were likely filmed by a youth professional magazine within North Korea and approved by the North Korean External Propaganda Department and the Workers' Party. It seems they are trying to promote propaganda in a new way amid the global trend of one-person media."
Meanwhile, citizens who have seen the videos have shown mixed reactions, with some saying they can indirectly experience the closed North Korean society, while others criticize the need to control North Korea's blatant regime propaganda.
University student A (20) said, "It felt different to see North Korea, which has been cut off for a long time, reveal the daily lives of its residents. Of course, it is North Korean propaganda, but the videos were similar to those of South Korean YouTubers, so it didn't feel unfamiliar."
A added, "Since everyone knows that North Korean society is still closed, it seems unlikely that watching related videos would have much influence."
On the other hand, office worker B (29) believes that North Korea's YouTube channel videos should be blocked immediately.
B criticized, "Even watching briefly, the videos promote the North Korean regime, and the tone and movements are unnatural. I don't understand why we should watch North Korea's daily life in a country still sharply divided by ideology."
He continued, "Since these are openly propagandistic videos, shouldn't the channel be blocked? I'm worried that watching North Korean propaganda videos might violate the National Security Act."
The government is currently taking a wait-and-see stance on the situation. On the 27th, Yeo Sang-gi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, stated at a regular briefing at the Government Seoul Office, "Currently, the law does not prohibit our citizens from watching (North Korean propaganda videos) themselves."
He added, "However, spreading these videos to third parties is legally prohibited. The Ministry of Unification is paying attention to this phenomenon emerging from North Korea and will continue to monitor related matters."
Meanwhile, as of the 28th, the YouTube channel has uploaded a total of 29 videos. Unlike the previous day (the 27th), when commenting was possible, comments are currently disabled.
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