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North Korean Authorities Escalate Punishment for Inattention During Propaganda Sessions
North Korean officials in South Hamgyong province have begun treating inattention during mandatory propaganda study sessions as serious political offenses, marking a significant shift in how authorities enforce ideological compliance, sources within the province report.
Since the beginning of the month, enterprises across Hamhung and other areas of the province have been conducting intensive documentary study sessions focused on the achievements of leader Kim Jong Un. These sessions, which take place in workplace research rooms, city-level research facilities, and provincial workplace libraries, have become sites of increased scrutiny and discipline.
“In the past, lecturers would simply issue warnings to those who dozed off or chatted during lectures,” a source in South Hamgyong province told Daily NK. “But recently, authorities have responded much more harshly by subjecting offenders to struggle sessions, treating their behavior as serious political problems.”
The so-called “documentary study sessions” form a critical component of North Korea’s ideological education system. During these mandatory gatherings, participants watch documentaries highlighting the revolutionary activities and accomplishments of the country’s leadership. The recent sessions specifically showcase Kim Jong Un’s purported tireless efforts to improve citizens’ living standards, featuring content about rural housing developments and regional factory construction projects under his guidance.
Traditionally, North Koreans have been required to attend these propaganda events as a matter of routine, but many have participated perfunctorily without genuine engagement, having grown weary of the repetitive messaging. Authorities appear to have noticed this widespread disengagement and have implemented stricter measures in response.
In one instance, the party committee of a Hamhung enterprise singled out three individuals—one member of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea and two members of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League—for falling asleep during a January 17 documentary session. The committee announced that these individuals would face a public ideological struggle session, scheduled for the following Sunday.
Similar punitive actions have occurred at other enterprises throughout South Hamgyong province, where employees are now being ordered to prepare criticism to direct at those targeted during the struggle sessions. These measures appear to follow directives from the provincial party committee to “root out perfunctory participatory attitudes of simply sitting” during ideological education.
“It used to be that you only needed to show up, but nowadays, they scrutinize whether you’re watching or listening carefully,” the source explained. “If you look somewhere else or doze off for even a moment, they’ll make an ideological case of it.”
Despite the heightened enforcement, many North Koreans—particularly young people—remain internally cynical about these sessions while outwardly pretending to pay attention. The source noted that some young people have begun sarcastically joking that they “must drink a cup of coffee before attending the study sessions” to avoid punishment.
The intensified scrutiny adds another layer of pressure to an already rigid system of ideological control. North Korean organizations routinely hold weekly struggle sessions every Saturday, with more comprehensive monthly sessions scheduled for the final week of each month. During these gatherings, participants are expected to engage in mutual criticism.
“The biggest worry every time is deciding who to criticize,” the source revealed. “Some young people sarcastically say the latest struggle sessions were more convenient since the subjects of criticism were already chosen for them.”
Critics within the country question whether these hardline tactics will actually promote genuine engagement with the regime’s propaganda. “People have long believed that all you need to do is show up for a study session or lecture,” the source concluded. “You won’t encourage earnest participation just by putting people on guard with things like struggle sessions.”
This tightening of ideological discipline comes as North Korean authorities appear increasingly concerned about maintaining control over public attitudes, particularly among younger generations who may be more susceptible to outside influences and less personally connected to the regime’s revolutionary history.
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9 Comments
It’s deeply concerning to see the North Korean authorities doubling down on their efforts to enforce ideological compliance through such extreme and draconian measures. Criminalizing momentary inattention during propaganda sessions is a gross violation of basic human rights and freedoms.
This development is a troubling escalation of North Korea’s already oppressive system of ideological control. Treating brief lapses of attention as ‘serious political problems’ worthy of harsh punishment is a chilling reminder of the regime’s totalitarian grip on its people.
It’s disturbing to see the North Korean regime escalating its crackdown on any signs of dissent or inattention. Treating brief lapses of focus as serious political offenses is an extreme and oppressive measure that reflects the regime’s deep insecurity.
You’re absolutely right. This is yet another example of the totalitarian nature of the North Korean government and its ruthless attempts to maintain complete ideological control over its citizens.
This is quite concerning. Forcing workers to stay awake and attentive during propaganda sessions, with harsh punishments for noncompliance, seems like an egregious violation of human rights. I hope the international community continues to shine a light on such abuses in North Korea.
Criminalizing sleeping during propaganda sessions is a chilling new low, even for the North Korean regime. This level of control and punishment for the slightest deviation from absolute compliance is a disturbing violation of basic human rights and freedoms.
The North Korean regime’s decision to crack down so harshly on workers who briefly lose focus during mandatory propaganda sessions is a disturbing example of their totalitarian approach to controlling the population. This level of ideological control and punishment for minor infractions is truly alarming.
The North Korean authorities’ response here is both draconian and deeply concerning. Subjecting workers to harsh ‘struggle sessions’ for momentary inattention during mandatory propaganda sessions is a clear abuse of power and an assault on human dignity.
Agreed. This is an egregious overreach by the regime and further evidence of its ruthless efforts to maintain a climate of fear and total obedience among the North Korean populace.