I Like My Propaganda Synchronized

Following our discussion of China's efforts to use the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games as a tool for public diplomacy, I cannot help but think about North Korea. Whereas we have been reflecting on the subtle and debatable nuances of what does or does not constitute propaganda versus public diplomacy, it is helpful to examine a clearly failing example of public diplomacy, which most consider to be blatant displays of propaganda used by the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The government stages the elaborate Arirang Mass Gymnastics games. Much like China's opening ceremonies, Arirang is meant to showcase North Korea's organizational capacity and display a harmonious society. In the last decade they have become increasingly open to documentation by foreign journalists, have become a showcase event for visiting dignitaries and tourists, and recently even Americans have been allowed to attend.



By Hans Tuch's definition of public diplomacy as "a government's process of communicating with foreign publics in an attempt to bring about understanding for its nation's ideas and ideals, its institutions and culture, as well as its national goals and policies" (Ham, p.115), the government of North Korea is indeed making an attempt to practice public diplomacy by using social networking sites likes Twitter and YouTube. That's right, if you are reading this, then you too can follow @Uriminzok! Ironically, North Koreans cannot, as the majority of the country is without internet access. So make no mistake, these initiatives are specifically directed at foreign publics.

Yet North Korea remains arguably one of the most poorly viewed countries in the current international arena. Echoing views expressed about China, these carefully crafted government initiatives do not eclipse what we already know, such as the censorship and human rights violations in North Korea. Although admittedly impressive, Arirang is equally unsettling as you begin to think about the kind of regimented control and abandonment of individualism required to produce such a perfectly synchronized spectacle. Furthermore, North Korea's self-isolation prevents new public diplomacy through dialogue and exchanges between non-state actors. The government seems to recognize the important role of technology and new media, but insists on controlling the message, rather than allowing networks of communication to form organically. The content that is communicated lacks credibility and thus seem more like manipulation and deception, characteristics typically associated with propaganda. This will continue to hurt rather than improve the image of North Korea with foreign publics.