The Influence Of Kim Jong-Il

The words, “Our future and hope depend on you. People’s fate depends on you, Comrade Kim Jong-Il! We cannot live without you. Our country cannot exist without you!” are sung by North Korean citizens everywhere ("No Motherland Without You."). Throughout Kim Jong-Il’s reign, this song was one of the many sources of propaganda used to brainwash their country’s citizens. Propaganda was just one of the many ways in which a country ruled under a dictatorship kept its undivided power, and sustained its citizens to be adaptable to whatever they wanted. Kim Jong-Il was one of the many powerful dictators who ruled in the late 1900’s, and had a great impact on both the country of North Korea, and the world as a whole. Kim Jong-Il was born on February

The mystery remains within North Korea, and how the citizens were directly affected by this dictator’s power and decisions. During Kim Jong-Il’s reign, the country faced horrifying conditions to live in. North Korea was a country that was so poor; they did not have regular electric light even within the capital ("Kim Jong Il, Son”). The economy within North Korea was at an all time low. Agriculture was horrible, and goods and products were hard to come by (Rowen). Kim Il Sungism, the belief that Kim that the Kim family is all-powerful, was the ideology within North Korea, and breaking this ideology resulted in banishment from the cities, imprisonment, or public execution. If any person were to visit North Korea, they would have to visit the statue of the “Great Leader” on Mansudae Hill, and place flowers on the feet of the leader. There were, and still are, pictures of the leaders placed all around the country. These posters, and different means of propaganda, directly effect the way in which North Koreans think and perceived their leaders. The men of North Korea were encouraged to dress themselves in similarity to Kim Jong-Il. The children were continuously taught about positive attributes of their leader and their country, and are trained to look down upon foreigners, especially Caucasians. The people within this country had experienced years of propaganda, and isolation from the outside world. Myths and lies

The ruler in this novel is known as Big Brother, and he has many similarities to Kim Jong-Il. This novel takes place in Oceania, and the country controls everything their people do. Big Brother posters are plastered all over the streets, stores, and even houses. This is very relatable to Kim Jong-Il ruling North Korea because he paints the country with pictures of both himself and his father so the people believe their rulers are almighty. We also know from the novel that if people don’t follow what Big Brother wants, they will be banished, tortured or killed. This happened to Winston Smith because he did not follow exactly the standards that were placed onto him. In North Korea, people who do not follow what Kim Jong-Il said had extremely evil consequences. The practice of this allowed the country to gain full control of their citizens at all times. Another major similarity between Big Brother and Kim Jong-Il is the mystery involved with them. Big Brother is not exactly known in the novel. The population believes that Big Brother is almighty and powerful, even though they have never once seen him. The country of Oceania believes what they are told, because if they show any kind of rebellion they will be hurt. Kim Jong-Il has a lot of mystery within his story also. There are many events, such as his birth, that are recorded one way and told another way. It is said