North Korean Propaganda Posters
This set of North Korean propaganda posters was originally posted on Reddit today but the images were soon removed. I’ve mirrored them here and you can also find alternate mirrors along with translations at the original Reddit article. Pretty incredible these images made it to the outside world and the goat one seems so friendly. Here are the translations in case the original goes down:
· “When provoking a war of aggression, we will hit back, beginning with the US!”
· “Though the dog barks, the procession moves on!”
· “Death to US imperialists, our sworn enemy!”
· “Prevention and more prevention. Let’s fully establish a veterinary system for the prevention of epidemics!”
· “Let’s drive the US imperialists out and reunite the fatherland!”
· “Let’s extensively raise goats in all families!”
· “The US is truly an Axis of Evil.”
· “When we say we will, we will. We do not talk idly!”
· “Wicked Man.”
· “Do not forget the US imperialist wolves!”
41 Comments Leave A Comment
Joaquim Marquès Nielsen says:
February 2, 2010 at 4:19 pmPretty heavy stuff right there. I’m not even American, but I still take this personal. What a weird feeling. I must say though, that they’re well made (aesthetically!).
UI Hero says:
February 2, 2010 at 4:43 pmIt’s amazing how little the visual language of propaganda art has changed in the last fifty years.
twooh says:
February 2, 2010 at 5:01 pmDunno if you saw the annual Arirang show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67eBYOBHn1E
The background changing isn’t a screen, it’s thousands of people holding different colored plates to make the image.
Giru says:
February 2, 2010 at 5:10 pmI used to live in South Korea until 13 years of my age and could see these kind of images one or two times. (North Korean sent mini version of these images to South Korea by attaching a pack of flyers to many helium balloons). I think the translations are not in right order. So here is my suggestion.
“When we say we will, we will. We do not talk idly!”
“Let’s extensively raise goats in all families!”
“Wicked Man.”
“When provoking a war of aggression, we will hit back, beginning with the US!”
“Do not forget the US imperialist wolves!”
“Let’s drive the US imperialists out and reunite the fatherland!”
“Though the dog barks, the procession moves on!”
“Death to US imperialists, our sworn enemy!”
“The US is truly an Axis of Evil.”
“Prevention and more prevention. Let’s fully establish a veterinary system for the prevention of epidemics!”
hope this is useful, it would be better if you also mention North Korean in the text as you did in the title.
I guess these posters are just to please Kim jong-il (the leader of North Korea), cause majority of North Korean don’t even have a time to think about this matter. They are just too busy with worrying about how to survive the very next day.
Angela Poe says:
February 2, 2010 at 5:22 pmWHERE can one get prints of these?!?
I have been looking for authentic N Korean Propaganda posters for AGES!
please someone let me know!
Angela
Nathan G. says:
February 2, 2010 at 5:44 pmThe propaganda depatment needs to work on their geography. Guy in the first poster is punching Canada…
Cade says:
February 2, 2010 at 6:01 pmLooks like hope has not made it there yet, that is a pretty goat.
Tyler says:
February 2, 2010 at 6:22 pmabsolutely love the posters, really good stuff. The colors are amazingly chosen.
How did these come up? Are they silk-screened or printed with some other method?
Priscilla says:
February 2, 2010 at 7:10 pmwow so powerful these images and the messages… when will the governments of all these countries will stop ruling by promoting hatred? Terrible..
Lee says:
February 2, 2010 at 7:11 pm“We get it, you don’t like us.”
Keep in mind, this is the work of the government and not necessarily the opinions of the people. Reacting with animosity only helps to “prove” their point.
Priscilla says:
February 2, 2010 at 7:12 pmanyway, I´d also have to admit that they work, from a design point of view
Jeremy says:
February 2, 2010 at 8:29 pmMeh. While I think I understand the context, it still seems like the last thing our nation needs, more misguided youth running around making statements (like the designs depict) they don’t understand… good art shouldn’t be whatever makes you less common.
Jay Williams says:
February 2, 2010 at 9:03 pmFrom an artistic point of view, they are very well executed. I especially like the footprint one. It is very clean and striking.
But as for the message, I heartily disagree.
Scott says:
February 2, 2010 at 10:06 pmlee-
“you” = the SK government, as in the people who had these images created. I think it’s generally accepted that the general populace of North Korea is essentially imprisoned both mentally and physically. The comment was to make light of how over the top the SK gov’s message is.
NAVIS says:
February 2, 2010 at 11:18 pmlmao @ Nathan G. bahahaha
AEON says:
February 3, 2010 at 12:54 amA bleak reproduction of old Soviet propaganda if you ask me. That’s why there was a comment that propaganda has changed so little for so many years. The modern propaganda is advertising :)
felix says:
February 3, 2010 at 3:11 amit reminds me of the western anti-communism posters, but these korean posters seem much more weird.
Poor backward country!
Eiraq says:
February 3, 2010 at 3:31 amLovely collection.
If you want to see the originals and maybe even possibly buy some I highly recommend popping by http://www.shanghaipropagandaart.com/ if you ever find yourself in Shanghai. I went there a couple of years ago and had a fab guided tour by the man who runs the place. Even bought a couple of original handcut and screenprinted posters for around 40£. Well worth it.
RA_OUL says:
February 3, 2010 at 4:06 amGreat find. I can’t believe I’ve never studied or even seen these before.
Gino says:
February 3, 2010 at 8:31 amDoes anyone know when these posters were made? Recently or years back?
M72 says:
February 3, 2010 at 12:03 pmoh you Americans must be so EVIL! :D I am glad no country is doing the same propagande against EU.
Anyway the footprint one is really good. And I can see American propaganda on every goddamn conner – really! Coca-cola and McDonald everywhere ;)
very says:
February 3, 2010 at 12:09 pmThese posters are all from the North Korean Posters book. I bought my book from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/North-Korean-Posters-Heather-Collection/dp/3791339672
I have also bought a real poster while visiting Pyongyang few years ago. It was hand painted with water colors and went for about $20. The real trouble was getting it home undamaged in hand luggage. But it’s now safely on my living room wall.
very says:
February 3, 2010 at 12:11 pm@M72 – They are made between 1950-2000, check the previous post for link to the book.
Jason Warth says:
February 3, 2010 at 1:39 pmIncredible post! … and I love the comments as well.
These posters reveal a lot of talent—as does the video that twooh posted. North Korea throws a helluva ceremony… one can only imagine how amazing their opening ceremonies would be if they ever joined the rest of the world and hosted the Olympics.
On a serious note, most of their people eat dirt—literally—to stay alive. Such misery deserves mention (and prayers, if you’re into that).
-J
koneyn says:
February 3, 2010 at 3:13 pmThis is really spooky, but even more spooky, or rather sad, is the fact that there was never really a difference between the so called “West” and “East” propaganda. Look at the posters from WWII era from all over Europe (both sides) and also US anti-Japanese posters from the same time…
I am sorry for the innocent people that have to put up mentally with this. Everywhere.
hunter says:
February 5, 2010 at 9:29 pmsomeone had quite a few of these at the alameda flea market last fall… quite a sight.
Scott S says:
February 7, 2010 at 10:15 pmThanks Giru.
The translations didn’t seem right to me either.
Wow. It’s a shame these posters are so gorgeous!
Michael says:
February 21, 2010 at 2:44 pm· “Let’s extensively raise goats in all families!”
…not sure what I was expecting from that poster…
Chris says:
April 6, 2010 at 12:04 pmU.S. propaganda is a bit more sophisticated now days. We pay to see 2+ hr productions with CGI , paper thin plot lines and mega budgets, “music” videos that glorify militarism and “24”, legitimizing torture.
Rihanna’s Hard and AMA Performance:
http://vigilantcitizen.com/?p=3306
Maceon says:
April 7, 2010 at 8:29 amYou know Chris, I not one to troll, but I’m so tired of hearing/reading little comments like yours. The term “we”, maybe you is more appropriate. The great thing about our propaganda is you can always turn it off or not go. Chances are if you’re listening to sultry electronic music, you don’t know the first thing about militarism, or torture. The only example you have are in the books you’ve read or the films you’ve seen. I expect to see posts like yours on youtube, not ISO50.
Great post Scott, and yes this is very alarming and unsettling material. However, I can’t, for some reason, deny the talent of artists.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8604912.stm
Critical says:
April 7, 2010 at 10:45 amWhen I see a nice collection like this, and oh, there’s even a book…. I can’t help but think that perhaps this is not NK propaganda, it’s US propaganda, making us believe that NK is a bad and evil place, and if the US should “accidentally” nuke it, it’s would just be for our own good.
Very few reliable sources have been to NK to confirm these, so how do we know?
iria prol says:
April 13, 2010 at 6:09 amlove the graphics…
Steve Kelly says:
April 13, 2010 at 9:13 pmI like the machine gun held by the American Wolf. If any body actually bought in to these posters they wouldn’t be able to recognize an American Soldier if they saw one. These must be from an earlier time, say, the Korean war.
Also, in Argentina, “propaganda” is the word for advertising.
Anonymous says:
November 26, 2010 at 6:07 am1. Evacuate all ROK civilians from ROK outer islands immediately
2. Bolster ROK army/marine units on outer islands
3. Deploy anti aircraft units near Incheon and Incheon airport
4. Deploy ROK Navy fleet in ROK waters in West Sea.
5. Prepare Seoul population with dress rehearsal air raid drills
6. Complete West Sea War Games
7. Inform China and Japan of defense plans and that there will be armed response to very next attack
8. ROK withdraws diplomats from Beijing for “Consultations” in Seoul
9. Fortify all front lines along DMZ with US Forces Korea and ROK Units
10. Freeze any and all DPRK assets worldwide
11. Conduct ROK and US air force flyovers with War Games exercise in West Sea
12. Deploy ROK delegation to UN and initiate processing of resolution condemning agression and informing UN of new rules of engagement.
13. File War Crimes charges with Hague ICC with documentation of death of ROK civilians
Do you want more? I live in Seoul and the time for passive response is over. DPRK has killed ROK civilians and crossing this line. NO MORE TOLERANCE.
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