[Julie Wakefield]

Although I recently watcher (with NCTA) Parasite and Mountains May Depart, I found it difficult to find anything I could directly use in my classroom.

However, in watching Crash Landing on You (I am on episode 4 as I type this) there is definitely a part at the beginning of episode 2 that I hope to use in class (if we are back face to face)!  The scenes I am looking at using could be used in the beginning of the year as one learns to understand a new culture or during the East Asia unit (both of these ideas in my World Regional Geography course for 9th10th graders) to include in the discussion the differences between North and South Korea. 

The scenes are at the beginning of the episode when the four soldier friends find out about Se-ri and when she talks to them. And then the next scene is when they are outside and introducing her to the food process, that kim-chi cellar etc. From both perspectives (there is some humor) but also an understanding that two countries who at one point shared a history are today so different. Se-ri from South Korea knew far less about life in North Korea than the North Koreans knew about South Korea (enter the South Korean K-dramas)! Again, while I found these two scenes quite humourous there are definitely some lessons to be learned here for the students to understand. I will have to reference this scene again a few times from other episodes (the neighborhood ladies invite Se-ri to a Kim-chi competition and she starts she doesn't like Kim-chi, the continued discussions about the K-drama and the reality of it in addition to Se-ri bribing the solder with a dinner with the lead actress). These are all ideas I can share with the students while trying to get the gain perspectives.  We talk regularly about stereotypes and generalizations as we learn about cultures around the world -beginning with the viewing of The Danger of a Single Story (Ted Talk from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie  https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story/transcript?language=en )

 

[Julie Wakefield]

There were many changes that Kim Jong Il put in place to ensure the survival of the regime after the passing of his father. He put the military above the party in an attempt to 'safegauard our own socialism under any circumstances' and allowed it to be run by the ruling elite - those of which he appointed. Many of these were previous leaders but there were also many new, younger leaders involved to help the new ideology emerge and stay strong. He felt that by increasing the influence and purpose of the military he would be able to stablize the country in the face of the collpase of the Soviet Union and the pending economic crisis. Additionally, he did not trust the old guard in the Korean Workers' Party who he felt were not innovative nor encapsulated any new ideas for moving the nation forward. Kim Jong Il introduced a new slogan - Strong and Prosperous Great State - to give the people hope that the nation of the leader they loved still would be held together and would move foraward successfully under new leadership. This slogan was also for the world to take note that the death of one leader did not mean the death of the nation. The nation would move forward stronger than before. In this, there were sweeping market reforms (both market economy and literal markets) to provide more successful internal economic growth. Additionally, there were international diplomatic relations established. The establishment of these relations was to show the world they were willing to create trade relations and participate in the world economy but on their terms.

The intention of the Sunshine Policy was to address the growing economic gap between the north and the south and restoring lost communication between the two nations. The policy established regular contact between the two nations to discuss joint business ventures and plan some family reunifications. By increasing communications and providing outlets for economic growth the hope that there would not be any aggressive military actions towards the south. The North declared they wanted to make sure they were not 'taken over' by the south. Other countries with diplomatic relations with South Korea expressed concern over South Korea's 'friending' of North Korea. They were fearful that South Korea would favor North Korea on the internation level and work towards their own interests with North Korea. The policy lapsed for some years which appears to be connected to the nuclear advancements of North Korea. After some time, the policy reemerged and the world saw the two countries emerge in joint sport activities, more diplomatic North Koreans in attendance at international events and more meetings between North Korea and other countries. 

 

[Julie Wakefield]

I agree, Heather, without the 'aid' and trade deals from China and the USSR (other countries today) North Korea would have had to dissolve years ago. The model of self-reliance was tried and failed in many countries. And while North Korea is keeping strong to the ideology of self-reliance, in the past 10 years it is clear that this is not happening. Today North Korea is absolutely reliant on other countries for 'aid' and trade in addition to what is brought in on the blackmarket.

[Julie Wakefield]

Based on the re-reading of the Andrei Lankov's book, The Real North Korea, there are some ideas that have developed in an attempt to respond to this week's questions. I read this book a couple years ago along with a couple others by the same author. They are all very informative and highly recommended.

The Communist Monarchy - I refer to it my class as the Dynastic Dictatorhsip. I am not sure there are many differences in these two ideas. I think the introduction and influence of the Juche ideology is a key reason as to why this generation leadership was possible.

Juche as an idea of self-reliance and self-independence manifested in many ways in the decades of the mid-50s to the 70s. The institutionalization of this ideology is what give it the strong hold it has. The idealogy was taught in school, in society, and seen in all parts of North Korean life - in addition to how North Korea interacted with the rest of the world. As a combination of influence from Stalin, Lenin, Nao and Confucius, the juche propaganda included ideas that lacked democratic ideas, saw the outside world as various levels of evil and above, encouraged and influenced its followers to be put one's national interests above all else. The textbooks in schools were written by the leaders of the country. All information dispersed whether news or other must begin with a quote from the leaders. Innovation was not encouraged (although in more contemporary North Korea we see the North Koreans are very innovative.) All education is to be pursued and achieved with the intention of furthering the nation - not the individual. 

There are references to outside aid and 'trade' deals. There are stories of doctors coming in to offer medical care that is not readily available to the commoners in North Korea. The National Geographic documentary with Lisa Ling was mentioned in the class on Thursday - although dated, the idea of juche is evident when those who receive the surgery thank the Great Leader for their sight being returned, not the doctor. There are many other more recent stories of non-profits, NGOs and other service groups being allowed into the country to provide services not easily obtained by commoners yet heavily monitored while there so visitors can also experience the self-reliance and success of North Korea. 

So in creating this common ideology and now having a few generations living in this ideology, it is difficult to break this within North Korea. Jumping to more current stories, North Korea is not as isolated as the world would like to think they are. They is a very active (and economically successful, yet also dangerous) black market of goods from China. A small flashdrive can expose North Koreans to hours of K-Pop and K-Dramas. As long as the state holds the tight fist of Juche, the Dynastic Dictatorship has the potential to continue for at least one more generation (in my opinion!)

 

 

[Julie Wakefield]

The Korea Society has had some great webcasts this summer. There is one in August on BTS with the author a new book also out in August. 

https://koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1412-bts-blood-sweat-tears-with-tamar-herman

[Julie Wakefield]

Great, quick overview of the two Koreas. My students definitely know BTS and other aspects of K-Pop.  🙂

I am looking forward to learning more about North Korea as this is an area/issue has alway interested me...not sure why. We are receiving more information in the past three-four years than previously but I look forward to stories of the people, how they live (survive), etc. I think their political relations are fascinating for a country who claims to be self-sufficient. And when we see a headline like we did a few weeks ago about the health of the leader....can we believe this or is it 'western' media over-exaggerating?

[Julie Wakefield]

Hello, I am Julie Wakefield from Reno, NV. I teach high school World Geography and AP Human Geography. Most of my students are 9th and 10th graders. I am really looking for to learning from the course and other and finding new resources I can use in my classrrom.

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