The first appearances of the Moranbong orchestra raised hopes of more liberal policies under the then-new North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Looking at Moranbong to start with seems therefore promising for numerous reasons. First, the band is a reminder that there is more in North Korea than nuclear weapons and a "little rocket man". It recognises North Koreans as human beings with a particular taste in music, fashion, and entertainment living within the barriers set by the political system. Since no political system is totally unresponsive to popular interest, research might indicate get an idea of "North Koreaness" under Kim Jong-un. Second, there is remarkably little research on 21st century North Korean music in general and Moranbong in particular. Existing research has explored either a cultural or a technical approach by examining the cultural motives, styles or performance techniques.
Building on these findings, this paper asks whether Moranbong could be another tool employed by Kim Jong-un to legitimate his regime. It is argued here that even a system like North Korea cannot exist repression alone but needs to build a certain degree of support by the population, i.e. legitimacy. It is argued here that Moranbong serves both functions by providing a veritable propaganda tool to the North Korean regime. This tool can be directed at both the domestic and foreign audiences by implementing associations and symbols recognized by the respective audiences. Pyongyang can adjust this tool to serve the expectations of the respective audiences. This means neither a cultural liberalization nor "putting old revolutionary wine into new aesthetic forms". but a new style of North Korean music in the 21st century.
The argument is examined as a historical case study drawing on North Korean primary and secondary sources. The methods and challenges of the methodology are further explained in the next chapter as well as the theoretical framework of legitimation and propaganda. The third chapter offers a discussion of the contested concepts. The fourth chapter illustrates the theoretical argument in an empirical analysis. Particular attention is paid to the performance style, the content and the international context of the Moranbong performances. Chapter five sums up the analysis, discusses its limitations and outlines possibilities for further research.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND METHODOLOGY
2.1. THEORY – LEGITIMATION THROUGH PROPAGANDA
2.2. CASE SELECTION
2.3. METHODOLOGY AND SOURCES
3. THE MORANBONG ORCHESTRA
3.1. MEANS OF DISTRIBUTION
3.2. MUSIC AND LYRICS
3.3. VISUAL APPEARANCE
3.4 NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT
4. CONCLUSION
Objectives & Themes
This paper examines how the North Korean regime under Kim Jong-un utilizes the Moranbong Orchestra as a tool for political legitimation and propaganda. By analyzing the band's development, performance style, and international dissemination, the study explores how the regime adapts cultural expressions to maintain internal stability and project a modernized image to foreign audiences.
- The role of propaganda in authoritarian regime stability
- Moranbong Orchestra as a case study for regime legitimacy
- Cultural policy and North Korean music in the 21st century
- Adaptability of propaganda for domestic and international audiences
- The intersection of Western-influenced aesthetics and Juche ideology
Excerpt from the Book
1. Introduction
In July 2012, Kim Jong-un launched a “weapon” (Khawaja 2017: 167), that would prove just as powerful in the long run as the nuclear weapons tested only half a year later. On July 6, 2012, the Moranbong Orchestra (모란봉악단, “Moranbong” in the following) made their first publicly documented appearance (Korhonen 2014). The group caught international attention for several reasons. First, it was the first North Korean all-female orchestra. It was also the only orchestra of its kind until 2019. Second, the singers performed Western songs in mini-skirts accompanied by Disney figures (Moranbong 2012b). This marked an enormous contrast to the rather militaristic appearances of North Korean bands of the past (see Kim 2013b: 2). Finally, the concert was also the first public appearance of Kim Jong-un’s wife Ri Sol-ju. Moranbong’s creation came at a time where Kim Jong-un was still in the process of consolidating his power in North Korea (Koo et al. 2016, Lee 2018b). This led some North Korea observers to hope for more liberalization in the “Hermit Kingdom” (Cumings 2005: 433). However, North Korea soon dissolved these hopes stating that "there would be no such policy shift as expected by enemy countries" (quoted after: Yoo 2012: 194). In February 2013, North Korea proved that it was not planning to become more liberal at all.
A research topic with Moranbong as a starting point seems therefore promising for numerous reasons. First, the most obvious reason is that the band is a reminder that there is more in North Korea than nuclear weapons and a “little rocket man”. This is not to belittle the atrocities committed by the North Korean government (see: UN 2014). It means recognizing the average North Korean as a human being with a taste in music, fashion, and entertainment living within the barriers set by the political system.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the Moranbong Orchestra, outlines the political context of its formation under Kim Jong-un, and defines the research goal of exploring the band's function as a propaganda tool.
2. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND METHODOLOGY: This section establishes the heuristic framework of legitimation and propaganda in authoritarian states and justifies the selection of the Moranbong Orchestra as an ideal case study.
3. THE MORANBONG ORCHESTRA: This central chapter provides a detailed analysis of the band's distribution methods, its unique musical and visual identity, and its role within the national and international political context.
4. CONCLUSION: The final chapter summarizes the findings, confirming that the Moranbong Orchestra serves as a crucial, adaptable instrument for the regime to regain legitimate control and project power in the 21st century.
Keywords
North Korea, Moranbong Orchestra, Propaganda, Legitimation, Authoritarianism, Kim Jong-un, Cultural Policy, Juche, Soft Power, Regime Stability, Music, Political Communication, Social Control, Hallyu, Ideology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the function of the Moranbong Orchestra as a propaganda tool employed by the North Korean regime to generate and maintain political legitimacy under Kim Jong-un.
What are the core thematic areas covered in the work?
The work covers North Korean cultural policy, the mechanics of authoritarian regime stability, the use of music as propaganda, and the regime's efforts to influence both domestic and foreign perceptions.
What is the central research question?
The paper asks how the Moranbong Orchestra acts as a tool for the regime to solidify its rule, project power, and potentially adapt to modern challenges in the 21st century.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The study utilizes a single historical case study methodology, drawing upon North Korean primary sources and secondary analysis to build an empirical argument within a theoretical framework.
What does the main body of the paper address?
The main body examines the band's distribution channels, its specific musical styles, its visual appearance (including comparisons to South Korean pop), and its role in North Korea's international diplomatic efforts.
How would you characterize this work using keywords?
Key terms include North Korean propaganda, political legitimation, authoritarian regime stability, the Juche ideology, and soft power through cultural policy.
Why did the North Korean regime choose an all-female band?
The band's creation marks a departure from traditional male-dominated revolutionary art, suggesting a regime strategy to appeal to younger generations and modernize the North Korean image while adhering to party control.
Is the Moranbong Orchestra a sign of liberalization in North Korea?
The author argues that the band should not be interpreted as a sign of true political liberalization, but rather as a tactical tool for the regime to co-opt elites and consolidate power through modern aesthetic forms.
How does the band's visual style relate to South Korean pop culture?
The paper notes that the band's visual elements, such as fashion and stage production, mimic aspects of popular South Korean K-pop, likely as a response to the popularity of foreign media within North Korea.
- Quote paper
- Julian Klose (Author), 2019, The Moranbong Orchestra. North Korea’s weapons of mass propaganda?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/537915
