Our Great Leader…

The people undergo an endless stream of propaganda

As North Korean leader Kim Jong-II welcomes the arrival of the South Korean president in Pyongyang, marking the start of the second-ever summit between the leaders of the two Koreas, People & Power explore the man behind the secret state.
 
The aim of the second summit, say the two leaders, is to build on the achievements of the first in 2000 between Kim Dae-jung, the then South Korean president, and Kim Jong-II.

Since then, a steady increase in economic co-operation has developed, and separated families from the two sides have reunited.

But the enigma that is Kim Jong II remains. Kim Jong-II has a reputation for being a ruthless dictator, yet appears to have widespread support among his people.

Kim Jong II appears to have widespread support among his people

Filmmaker Pieter Fleury takes us to the family of Hong Sun Hui, a female worker in a textile factory, through what appears to be an ordinary day in North Korea. The people undergo an endless stream of propaganda unmoved by the constant stream of voices they perform their work dutifully.

At the nursery school, Hong’s daughter learns that ‘flowers need the sun and she needs the love of the Great Leader to grow’. The system of indoctrination, control and self-criticism seems both frightening and unnecessary.

The film needs no narration as we follow Hong’s daily routine, gaining insight into just how Kim Jong II maintains such absolute power.

Watch this episode of People & Power here:

Part 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqIwH3NxPEk

Part 2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAK-WflOAbE

This episode of People & Power aired from 03 October 2007

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