Comments on: Photo Essay: North Korean Propaganda Posters

By: The Stoic

The Stoic — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 13:39:49 +0000

A lot of interesting opinions in the comments.
First, however, a comment about the art: Regardless of the content, it’s absolutely beautiful, in the way Nazi propaganda was. Direct, effective and passionate.
Now, about the ongoing debate in the comments section:
I am American and European. I have lived half my life at the States and am currently living in Europe. So I’ve seen both sides of the fence.
My opinion is this: you cannot be a dominant world power without developing the element of ruthlessness. The United States of America are such a player. It would be naive to cry foul for them having adopted imperialism as their status quo.
But, come on.
Remember Athens in 5th century BC?
Remember Rome? Byzantium?
Remember the Vatican?
Maybe England?
France?
Russia?
Things could be so much worse for everyday people like you and me.
And they’re not.
Yes, US has some ridiculous laws. Yes, they are imperialists and all of its wars fought have been for influence, money or oil. Yes, power corrupts.
And it is natural that it would be so.
United States helped Europe recover after WWII. It created a system that was based on, yet eventually surpassed, the Roman Republic model, based itself on Athens’ direct democracy.
Some of the world’s greatest thinkers, innovators, inventors and humanitarians are American.
So, to recap: I absolutely agree the United States has destroyed many people’s lives (vast majority of which being non-American). However: do not judge this country based solely on doe-eyed idealism or blind hate propaganda. See it for what it is: A great power that has earned its right in the annals of history, like it or not, and as such, demands respect.
North Korea’s propaganda posters fall in line with the country’s political system, alliances and history. However: I have no respect for its cult of personality, perpetuated by the tyrannical family that has dominated their fellow countrymen for DECADES.
Do you realize that most North Koreans don’t remember a time they did not worship this or that Dear Leader?
Let’s hope a solution for the North Korean problem will be found. Those poor people deserve a chance at living, not merely surviving-barely.

By: TeenageThoughts

TeenageThoughts — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:17:13 +0000

No country has a clean past when it comes to the wars of the past and present… Most are just good at hiding what they did and making themselves look clean towards their people…

These posters make you think quite a bit, don’t they? ^^
Many interesting opinions on this page..

By: steve

steve — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:13:56 +0000

Not that china is a threat to the US, but it would be in our best interest to not start a war with China, because there would be a great chance that it would be a nuclear war, thus provoking WWIII, and bringing on the end of the world… yeahhh not so much a great idea.

By: steve

steve — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:09:35 +0000

If anyone thinks that this is what the US truely is, then you must be seriously gullable. I mean, at least the people of the DPRK have the excuse that if they don’t believe it, they’ll get throw in the labor camps and worked until they die. North Korea has a lot of nerve saying these things about us, when most of the time it’s what they do TO THEIR OWN PEOPLE. Do you know what happens to people when they defect to the South? Their FAMILIES, completely innocent families, are sent to interment camps and TORTURED. Gee, aren’t they just a beacon of Human rights. The day China stops covering for their asses is the day the Korea Unites under democracy.

By: T.O. Cunuck

T.O. Cunuck — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:20:49 +0000

People who hate the USA are likely to suffer from an inferiority complex and blind, sheeplike ignorance. I’ll bet anything that most of the USA bashers on this thread are Canadian or Europeans, who, live decent lives because of the economic support that their countries receive through commerce that the USA provides them, as well as the sacrifices made by the USA military to keep peace and stability around the world. I, myself, am Canadian, but thankfully not a brain dead one. Viva le USA!

By: jj

jj — Fri, 06 May 2011 00:57:40 +0000

Don’t forget, Afghanistan is widely known as the Graveyard of Empires….

Just ask his tory…

By: jj

jj — Fri, 06 May 2011 00:52:47 +0000

Good post dice.

Upthread:

“And Afghanistan and Iraq? One harbored terrrorist training cells, and the other a madman who gassed his own people.”

Of course, you are referring to Winston Churchill gassing the Kurds, right?

“I am strongly in favour of using poisoned gas against uncivilised tribes. The moral effect should be so good that the loss of life should be reduced to a minimum. It is not necessary to use only the most deadly gasses: gasses can be used which cause great inconvenience and would spread a lively terror and yet would leave no serious permanent effects on most of those affected.”

http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CHU407A.html

It’s sad to see all the imperialist mentality on the interwebs and here, personally, like one of our great founders, Tom Paine, I truly believe “the world is my country and to do good my religion”. If more people had (read) Common Sense, perhaps you would know what Paine et al envisioned for America, because you are sure misrepresenting it if you think it was to go after “foreign monsters”…

http://www.fff.org/comment/AdamsPolicy.asp

Seems some people on this thread don’t really know their history…

By: Dice

Dice — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:55:36 +0000

Keh Keh… More Republicans trying to believe everything is fine, I suppose. I can almost guarantee you that those who say that they prefer America for the food and Television have not been poor a day in their lives~
Look closely at the world. Things are breaking and dying, and the US is at the top of that list. Countries all over are slowly becoming Communist because they realize how much of a disease upon the people US capitalism is.
With the CIA Jackals, Corrupted Congress, and more and more people becoming poor because the US is waging war for resources that the corporations need, it’s no Surprise the Socialist movements in America are growing. And the Republicans will talk out their asses in every which way to try and make you believe that Socialism is a bad thing, because it means that they will have to work like the rest of us, and get off their high and mighty thrones.
I saw at the top of the list, many were picking on GMAN because he tried to give a very quick defense, and he got chewed out for it. Well, it’s not easy giving a defense when most of the comments flood from the ignorant, who have not seen what goes on.
You can look for the pictures of US soldiers posing with dead civilians, if you want.
Those smart enough don’t watch the US censored news anyways. Watch RT for a few hours online. Maybe you’ll learn something about the world.
To finish, the US has been notorious for trying to kill anyone who has a nuclear program, or anything else that would make a country a rival to it.
I believe, VERY MUCH, that the United States of America died around the 50′s-60′s.
What’s left now is just a husk of corporations and blood money.

By: ooijed

ooijed — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:23:45 +0000

yeah not good

By: RP

RP — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:46:44 +0000

@Psyop – No, the posters are made in NK. Check out the video “Crossing the line” and you will see parade floats made depicting their posters.
@Bulgasari – Yes, literacy is near 100 percent. It takes three to five days to learn the alphabet. I teach Korean.
@Katy – I lived there from ’83-86, 88-90, and 94-96 while in the Air Force.

By: PSYOP

PSYOP — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:49:35 +0000

I bet those POSTERS are made in SOUTH KOREA Psychological warfare departments (PSYOP/PSYWAR)- not in NORTH KOREA – only to create ‘they hate us’ illusion for American people…and there can ba very real possibility that US PSYOP groups are also involved for creating that disinformation….

(PNAC and Wolfowitz Doctrine goals)

By: bob1234

bob1234 — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 03:30:46 +0000

First off ” GMAN” you need to be educated better. All you’re facts seem to be straight out of you’re parents opinions. Form you’re own. Secondly, you need to stop hating on the US because you’re jealous we made our country better than everyone else’s except for some in Europe. Plus we (US) is smart. We are being the hammer and not the nail. We fight for freedom of citizens. Communism needs to be erased. Just look up what’s happening to north Korea’s citizens under communism. It pisses me off when I see videos on how manipulated they are.

By: ahansen

ahansen — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 17:15:06 +0000

The comments here are as interesting as the topic–even at this late date.

But I am compelled to respond to the vilification of GMAN, who stated that the Taliban offered up bin Ladin in exchange for calling off hostilities and the embargo of Iraq. This is true, and in the weeks following 9-11, Bill Clinton was roundly and extensively excoriated in the Fox News outlets for having done so.

Osama bin Ladin WAS a US “asset” who was paid nearly $350M USD to build the Tora Bora cave complex back in the days when Bush the First et al were trying to tweak the Soviets in Afghanistan. His involvement in US “security” matters were extensive and well documented. Moreover, the Taliban (as well as the Madrassas system,) were CREATED by the US State Department as a force to counter Soviet control over the region. Also extensively documented if you care to search out this really cool interweb application called “Google.”

Recall newsman, Dan Rather’s, and US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher’s extensive involvement with the leadership and fighters of this group. Generally the State Department frowns on fraternization with the “enemy.”

Osama bin Ladin’s business manager was GWB’s roomie and fellow expellee in the Texas Air National Guard scandal, and you may recall, that the extended bin Ladin family living in the US were the ONLY persons allowed to leave the country–even to fly– in the days after 9-11.

This stuff is not theory, it is fact. Whether or not it qualifies as conspiracy is another matter entirely.

For more info and extensive documentation (92 pages of end notes,) see the Center for International Studies publication, “The War on Truth.” ISBN 1-56656-595-0, as well as innumerable other studies and critiques of the official 911 Report.

By: RedWhiteBlue

RedWhiteBlue — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 21:23:34 +0000

Any country that eats dogs as part of their diet, well, I’m a little skeptical of anything that is produced from their brains. Plus, they’re about as advanced as a stone age power.

By: Grape Soda

Grape Soda — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 20:32:13 +0000

This reminds me of something Michael Moore would produce, I can tell by some of the America hating progressive/Marxist remarks here I’m right about this.

By: Pat

Pat — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 16:31:50 +0000

Chris, don’t talk dry. We wait for your action.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:51:38 +0000

Clearly the N. Koreans are really dumb and idiotic about their posters. America can just walk in there and annihilate their army.

By: HADRIAN 1V

HADRIAN 1V — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 07:52:24 +0000

Is that Telly Savalas holding the baby over the well?

By: Jimmy Trinket

Jimmy Trinket — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 13:28:59 +0000

Wow, these are great! They remind me of the American Propaganda posters that were going around during the cold war. Thanks for putting them up. It’s great to see that there are other nutty countries out there.

By: White Male

White Male — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 02:24:25 +0000

Alien,

That drug manufacturer that Clinton destroyed in Sudan was probably using the majoritity of their facility to make ephedrin, and selling it to super meth labs in Mexico which intern are poisoning millions of Americans. “Biological Weapons”

We should bomb the rest of them.

By: Robbie

Robbie — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 02:48:35 +0000

Canadian I see the statement you are trying to make and strongly disagree. The U.S. has made it’s mistakes as any other country but they are not in any sense of the word imperialistic. Many Americans wish to leave Iraq and let the Iraqi officials take control over there own country but the country is very unstable and terrorists could very well over run the country once more. The notion of going into Iraq in the first place was most likely a mistake but we must live with it.Obama has announced his plan to withdraw from Iraq and hit the Taliban in more logical areas. As for the depression you could not understand it unless you are living through it from an American point of view I am a Middle class American and I am continueing to prosper in this economy as are many of my friends, no doubt it is a bit more stressful. I am not denying its existence and it gives us a chance to take a step back and realize in which direction are country is going. Resentment towards America is on the rise due to lackluster foreign policy recently and bad decision making but we will overcome. No doubt jobs are far more scarce and many people are forclosing but I am confident in my nation’s resolve to find a solution.

By: Katy

Katy — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 23:37:39 +0000

Has anyone in this thread ever lived in South Korea and talked to people who: 1) lived through the war, and 2) still have family in North Korea? If you had, your perspective on Korea and America would be different.
Does anyone in this thread actually KNOW anything about 1) the government of North Korea, 2) the policies of the North Korean government, 3) people in North Korea, 4)daily life in North Korea, 5) orphans and the disabled in North Korea? If you did, your perspective would be different.
Is anyone in this thread living in or corresponding regularly with anyone in a communist country? It doesn’t sound like it.

By: maddies7

maddies7 — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 18:26:25 +0000

that is so ronge to people

By: Canadian

Canadian — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 03:11:53 +0000

You can call this propaganda all you want, but all i see is the truth. The US does drop bombs, it is a imperialist country, a corporate controlled nation. Just look at all the death, destruction and oppression they are doing to the middle east in iraq, afghanistan and pakistan. Who benefits from it all… cui bono – the defense industry, the oil tycoons, the banks and israel’s military hegemony. essentially THE FEW RICH LEFT IN AMERICA. who loses ? the tax payers and all the people that get murdered.

You can attack the north korean mess and how they don’t allow people to leave all you want, but these posters still hold weight.

By: Eugene

Eugene — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 19:23:05 +0000

What really needs to get published along with these posters is the comic books that are issued to north koreas’ youth. They are all expressions of anger,hatred,and resentment just like these posters. There is a repetition present in both these posters and the comic books. A lack of creativeness.

A lack of creativity is present amongst north korean artists due to government censorship. They are prohibited from fully expressing themselves. This is not art, it is a forced representation of a flawed ideology.

By: marie

marie — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:34:48 +0000

The goat poster, was a decree by the North Korean government that all people living in country areas had to raise goats for the prosperity of the country.

It proved to be a disaster, they could only feed the goats grass and tree bark which most people had to walk for hours to find as everybody else in the country areas were doing the same thing. Other food which goats need to supplement their diet to survive was so scarce or not available as people themselves needed food like corn or rice (if they were lucky). So in the end most goats starved to death or were so thin that people just used to eat them although it was prohibited and they could be send to one of the re education camps. Yes that is the story of the goats. The poor animals were starving and so were the people who had to feed them.

Kim Il Sung had another brain wave, everybody had to grow potatoes, but the farmers did not know how as they were used to growing corn and rice and other vegetables. Neither did the government as it had not been researched with agriculture experts. So what happened a disaster, land was wasted, potatoes failed and Kim Il Sung of course blamed everyone except himself.

There are many stories like that, like the cows that were going to produce so much milk and butter like in New Zealand, only in North Korea they don’t have the lush pastures for cows to thrive on.

By: Leonidas

Leonidas — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:20:59 +0000

These images should be printed on toilet paper and sold. Six dollars a roll. I’d buy a bunch of them and give it to my friends so they can clean their anus holes. Anyways, here is a list of movies filmed in S.Korea that might be worth watching: Nogunri, Taeguki,and Silmido. And if you like video games, check out HOMEFRONT when it is released: Febuary 2011.

By: Jin

Jin — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 22:34:31 +0000

The goats would have done better than the NK soccer team at the World Cup

By: Lmao

Lmao — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 12:25:03 +0000

All of these anti-American comments are hilarious. Yes, the US tends to act cocky and undiplomatic. No, we are not a millionth as bad as North Korea. The problem with people is that they love extremes, so if something has some major flaws, it’s EEEVIL! You wouldn’t last ten minutes in NK.

By: Leonidas

Leonidas — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 19:06:29 +0000

@Bart Simpson, your observation is correct to a certain extent. The North has made many “empty” threats in the past. However, their regime does have the radioactive minerals, ICBMs, and the manpower to carry out those threats. We’ll still kick their asses.

@Tony Hockey, the USA is a bully that kicks other bullies’ asses. You don’t know how lucky you are to have the freedom to say what you just said. When WWIII breaks out, I hope you will have already chosen your side. Be faithful to your team always.