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North Korean authorities in South Hamgyong province have begun treating young people who fall asleep during mandatory propaganda film sessions as political offenders, reflecting an intensified approach to ideological discipline across the reclusive nation.
According to a Daily NK source reporting from the region on January 30, what was once met with simple warnings has escalated to public ideological struggle sessions—a form of ritualized public humiliation and criticism—for those caught dozing off during the screenings.
“In the past, it was enough just to show up for study sessions, but these days they scrutinize whether you’re watching and listening carefully,” the source revealed. “If you zone out or doze off even for a moment, they immediately treat it as an ideological problem.”
The crackdown is particularly visible in Hamhung, North Korea’s second-largest city and an important industrial center. At one workplace, authorities have already singled out three people—one trade union member and two youth league members—for nodding off during a January 17 session. They now face a formal struggle session scheduled for January 31.
These propaganda film sessions constitute a cornerstone of North Korea’s political indoctrination system. Participants are required to watch documentaries highlighting Kim Jong Un’s leadership while demonstrating appropriate reverence and pledging loyalty. Recent films emphasize Kim’s supposed tireless efforts to improve living conditions, featuring footage of rural housing construction and local factory development under his guidance.
The provincial party committee has specifically ordered a campaign to “root out the attitude of perfunctory participation where only bodies are present.” Party officials are instructing members to prepare criticism in advance against designated targets, creating an atmosphere of heightened surveillance and tension.
Despite the severe consequences, North Korean youth appear to be responding with quiet defiance and dark humor. Behind closed doors, young people have been heard joking that they “must drink coffee before entering study sessions” to avoid punishment. Others sarcastically note that having pre-designated criticism targets makes their mandatory participation in struggle sessions more “convenient.”
“The biggest concern every time is who should be the target of criticism,” the source explained, describing the self-criticism sessions held weekly on Saturdays and monthly during the last week of each month.
This intensified approach to ideological compliance comes as North Korea faces ongoing economic hardship and increasing international isolation. Experts view these measures as part of the regime’s efforts to maintain political control amid growing disillusionment, particularly among younger generations who may be more aware of life outside North Korea through smuggled foreign media.
North Korea watchers note that this hardline stance represents a troubling trend toward stricter internal controls. The regime has historically used ideological education as a tool for maintaining unity and obedience, but the current approach suggests authorities are concerned about waning enthusiasm for state messaging.
“The perception that you just need to show up and sit during study sessions or lectures has long been established,” the source concluded. “Authorities will find it difficult to elicit sincere participation by giving warnings through things like ideological struggle sessions.”
The crackdown highlights the widening gap between the regime’s propaganda depicting a thriving society under Kim Jong Un’s leadership and the reality experienced by ordinary citizens forced to participate in increasingly rigid ideological rituals while facing ongoing economic difficulties and food shortages.
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7 Comments
Troubling to hear about this crackdown on inattentiveness during propaganda screenings in North Korea. Falling asleep shouldn’t be a punishable offense, especially for young people. Hope the authorities take a more compassionate approach.
This news about North Korea’s crackdown on young people falling asleep during propaganda screenings is deeply disturbing. Punishing people for being unable to stay awake during these mandatory sessions is an extreme and disproportionate measure that reflects the regime’s intolerance of any deviation from total ideological compliance. Concerning to see the government escalating its efforts to stifle even the most minor signs of disengagement.
This is a disturbing example of the North Korean government’s efforts to enforce absolute ideological conformity. Treating young people as political offenders for falling asleep during mandatory propaganda screenings is both draconian and inhumane. Hopefully the international community will condemn these tactics.
While I understand the North Korean regime’s desire to maintain tight control over its population, punishing people for unintentionally falling asleep during propaganda screenings seems like an extreme overreaction. This crackdown on even minor signs of inattention or disengagement is a worrying sign of the government’s oppressive tactics.
Seems like an excessive reaction to falling asleep during these propaganda sessions. While North Korea is known for its rigid ideological control, punishing people for drowsiness is concerning. Hopefully this doesn’t escalate further.
Agree, it’s a concerning development that reflects the regime’s obsession with controlling every aspect of citizens’ lives, even down to their level of engagement with propaganda. Harsh punishment for involuntary actions like nodding off is a troubling sign.
The North Korean government’s decision to harshly punish young people for falling asleep during mandatory propaganda screenings is a troubling manifestation of their obsessive need for ideological control. Treating such involuntary actions as political offenses is an alarming abuse of power that deserves international condemnation.