A/HRC/25/CRP.1
of Korea is primarily responsible for generating propaganda directives.157 In a speech to
“Party Propagandists” in 1981, Kim Jong-il stated, “… solid foundations for propaganda
and agitation work have been laid under the single guidance of the Party Central
Committee.” Kim Jong-Il provided guidance on how to intensify ideological education as
well as propaganda and agitation for the construction of the socialist economy. He spoke of
“verbal agitation”, “agitation by artists”, effective use of visual aids and officials setting
personal examples as different forms of agitation that are powerful and influential.158
188. The propaganda units in local administrations, schools, places of work and at
various other levels are responsible for reproducing messages determined at the centre.
They also put up propaganda materials under the directive of the Central Committee’s
Propaganda Department. In every province for example, there is an art centre responsible
for drawing the portraits of the Supreme Leaders and portraying their accomplishments
which are displayed in exhibitions, and hung in the hallways and on the walls of public
departments and companies.159 Mansudae Art Studio in Pyongyang is reportedly the central
level body responsible for producing propaganda paintings, murals, posters, billboards, and
monuments revering the Kim family. It has been suggested that it is the largest art factory
in the world, employing roughly 4,000 DPRK nationals, including some 1,000 artists.160
189. Exceptionally good drawings by children are put up not only in their own schools
but also other schools. There are also designated artists in universities and in the military
who draw such propaganda materials for posters and billboards to be put in university halls
and premises, and for drawings in textbooks and other publications for teachings in the
military academy.161
190. Pictures of the Supreme Leaders and monuments dedicated to them are omnipresent.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported in April 2013 that, “44.8 per cent of
the total state budgetary expenditure [for the previous year] for the economic development
and improvement of people’s living standard was used for funding the building of edifices
to be presented to the 100th anniversary of the birth of President Kim Il-sung, the
consolidation of the material and technological foundation of Juche-based, modern and
self-supporting economy and the work for face-lifting the country.”162 Another report,
citing sources in the DPRK, estimates that the equivalent of USD200 million has been spent
on 3,200 eternal life towers, about 400 mosaic murals and 23-metre high Kim Il-sung and
Kim Jong-il statues.163
191. In each and every household in the DPRK, there must be at least three framed
pictures on display, i.e. one of Kim Il-sung, one of Kim Jong-il and one of the two of them
appearing to be in discussion. Kim Jong-un’s picture has not yet been ordered to be
displayed. This may be in keeping with the example set by Kim Jong-il. He did not add his
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
52
TAP009.
Kim Jong Il, “On Further Improving Party Ideological Work: Concluding Speech at the National
Meeting of Party Propagandists”.
TAP002.
“Mansudae Art Studio, North Korea’s Colossal Monument Factory”, Business Week, 6 June 2013.
Available from http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-06-06/mansudae-art-studio-north-koreascolossal-monument-factory.
TAP005.
Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) is the state-run agency of the Democratic People’s Republic
of Korea as stated on its website. “Review of Fulfillment of State Budget for Last Year and State
Budget for This Year”, KCNA, 1 April 2013. Available from
http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2013/201304/news01/20130401-20ee.html.
“N. Korea spent 530 million dollars in idolization propaganda”, Dong-A Ilbo, 28 November 2013.
Available from http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=050000&biid=2013112843348.