North Korea recently held its first large-scale ideological education event targeting 'Boy Scouts instructors,' emphasizing loyalty to Chairman Kim Jong Un. The government analyzed this as an attempt by North Korea to strengthen ideological control over all age groups, following the nationwide People's Unit Leaders' Enthusiasts Meeting held in mid-month.
The National Federation of the Korean Children's Union held a celebration for the 83rd birthday of North Korean National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il on the 16th in Pyongyang, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 17th. 2025.2.17 Yonhap News
On the 31st, Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers' Party of Korea, reported that the 'National School Boy Scouts Instructors' Grand Training' was held in Pyongyang from the 26th to the 29th for the first time in history. Rodong Sinmun stated, "This grand training aimed to deeply engrain in all Boy Scouts instructors the honorable mission and duty they hold before the homeland, revolution, and people, and to fulfill their educational responsibilities and roles in nurturing Boy Scouts into true young revolutionaries and young patriots in accordance with the demands of the new era."
It also conveyed Kim Jong Un's words, saying, "Our beloved Father, Marshal Kim Jong Un, who esteems you as the first teachers and political protectors of the rising new generation, and as teachers among teachers, has taken gracious measures to meaningfully carry out the National School Boy Scouts Instructors' Grand Training and has meticulously guided every step of the preparation work."
Rodong Sinmun added that this grand training included content aimed at preparing 'endlessly loyal young revolutionaries and young patriots' for Kim Jong Un and ensuring that the Boy Scouts instructors fulfill their role as the 'political protectors' of the Boy Scouts.
The Choson Boy Scouts is known as an organization that students aged 7 to 16 in North Korea are required to join. Boy Scouts instructors appear to be those responsible for guiding the students.
North Korea also held the 'National People's Unit Leaders' Enthusiasts Meeting' on the 18th. The People's Unit Leader in North Korea is a concept similar to the tong/banjang (neighborhood or block leader) in South Korea. This event was held for the first time in 19 years since 2007 and is interpreted as an effort to strengthen surveillance and control over residents and to consolidate the socialist system. Following this, North Korea has again launched indoctrination-style ideological education targeting the younger generation, further intensifying such activities.
Goo Byung-sam, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, said, "It appears to be an attempt to strengthen ideological control over all layers of the population and to enhance loyalty," adding, "It is presumed that there is a demand to strengthen internal control and boost loyalty."
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