South Korea Wages War with K-Pop

hansikhouse (72) in war • 7 years ago (edited)

In a World Filled with Fear...

So we all know that the dictator of North Korea, Kim Jong-Un, is a bit of a wacko and has ramped up his threats to not only his asian neighbors but also towards the US and its western allies. More frequent missile tests, hostile broadcasts, and overall military aggression is giving a global spotlight on the petulant man-child that wants to rule the world.

As such, a great deal of attention is being put on its southern democratic counterpart South Korea. What has the country been doing in response to this ever-growing threat?

PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE

…..

This might just be the wildest conflict of the 21st century. On the border between North and South Korea, the “De-Militarized Zone / DMZ” (which is anything BUT demilitarized), South Korea has installed massive speakers on the wall: 대북방송.

Hundreds of speakers outfit the entire length of the DMZ, emitting a collective sound that covers a 24-kilometer radius.

And what is South Korea playing on these speakers?

Political announcements? Direct messages to the NK people?

Nope!

Girls' Generation

Would you risk your life to escape a military dictatorship for this?

No, I'm not kidding. In response to North Korea's continuous attacks on South Korean soil over the last several years, SK has responded by ramping up broadcast songs. The aim is to win over the hearts and minds of potential defectors with upbeat K-Pop.

And it's working.

The latest song to be played over and over is Girls' Generation's song GENIE: Tell Me Your Wish. The song is about... well you can probably guess, these lovely ladies fulfilling your wish whether it be in regards to your romantic life or actual physical freedom. According to reports, this song is hottest item to be bought and sold in the North Korea BLACK MARKET.

Other than these public concerts, SK also uses the broadcast system to transmit simple local news concerning holidays, national events, etc that tap into Korean emotions. This stands in stark contrast with ongoing messages of war and conflict from the North Korea dictator.

Can you imagine how Russia or Iran would respond if we transmitted Britney Spears (the teenage version) through their airwaves?

What do you think? Is this an avant-garde way to conduct modern-day conflict? Or is this a futile attempt that devolves into political agitation and just plain silliness? Let me know your thoughts below!

Sources: 1, 2, 3

war politics news kr funny

7 years ago by hansikhouse (72)

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lexiconical (72) · 7 years ago

I bet this has the additional side-effect of demoralizing the enemy soldiers on the opposing side who are required to hear it on repeat all day.

Given how belligerent and regressive NK is, this is probably a relatively good strategy. It's hard to call it aggression.

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1 vote

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

Very good point. The purpose of these broadcast may be achieving a number of goals. Thanks for the comment!

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1 vote

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imjason (41) · 7 years ago

LOLOLl I knew they usually use those speakers to warn north korea when they have conflicts, but didn't know this! Following, hope to hear more funny stories!

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bunabit (42) · 7 years ago (edited)

governments are using whatever means possible to win the information war. N.Korea seems ridiculous here, but its probably ridiculously effective.

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

I'll probably do more research on the rate of defection but I agree that it's an unconventional yet effective tactic.

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

I know, it's pretty wild... =P

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tungie (46) · 7 years ago

The speaker contest at the DMZ has been there for many years. It is indeed an interesting place with also the most dangerous golf course right in the DMZ :)

Only thing I find bit hard to accept is that it is quite hard for South Koreans citizens to visit the DMZ while every foreigner can travel around there, although I understand they want to prevent espionage.

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wassa (3) · 7 years ago

Interesting post. Thanks for sharing :)

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

Thanks for reading!

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wassa (3) · 7 years ago

You are welcome:)

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alexei17 (25) · 7 years ago

Let me see..
How many countries North Korea invaded?
0
How many outside military bases Nkorea has?
0
Has Nk began it's ballistic missiles test recently?
Answer: No, it has been going on since 2006. Never seemed to bother anyone before.

Question: what do NKorea , Syria and Iran have in common?
Answer: The absence of Zionist Central Bank.
Question: Which were the last 2 countries to get a Central Bank trough " Democratic, peaceful means"?
Answer: Iraq and Libya.

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

Okay.

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pomagranatepie (25) · 7 years ago

North Korea's ballistic missile program dates back much further to the 80s. Its only since the Bush administration put NK onthe "axis of evil" hitlist did they decide to excellerate their conventional & nucler capabilities

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purpleprose (52) · 7 years ago

I would stay in the North Korean gulag.

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2 votes

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

Haha to each his/her own...

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sk8music (46) · 7 years ago

Jemmi isso! interesting

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mahmoudh (49) · 7 years ago

Nice ... Always amazing photos

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

Thanks for the comment

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dubi (58) · 7 years ago

역시 잘하십니다..ㅎㅎ

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

Thank you Mister Dubi~ I'm your fan. kkkk

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dubi (58) · 7 years ago

제가 더 팬입니다~~ 힘써주십시요^^

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

hwa-ee-ting!

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ryn (58) · 7 years ago

Psycological / Cultural warfare is probbably exactly what is required, as the people of NK are so heavily indoctrinated.

It can be hard to liberate people that dont want to be liberated, due to a lifetime of hearing nothing but state propaganda.

Is K-Pop the best weapon in that arsenal?

Hard to say.

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

Very hard to say but that is a very good point. Thanks for the comment!

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acwood (60) · 7 years ago

Interesting.
How far can you hear these broadcasts?

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

Apparently 24km out. South Korea reports "30-40%" of North Koreans listen to this but I think that's completely balony. Still, I'm sure most if not all NK's are well informed about this.

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acwood (60) · 7 years ago

WOW! That must be some powerful amplification equipment!
Thanks!

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

Yeah I updated the text a bit to clarify. There are hundreds of these amplifiers.

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acwood (60) · 7 years ago

I imagine everyone close by these must have ear plugs! I wonder how many decibels?

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arckrai (62) · 7 years ago

haha, you'd expect some propaganda to be blasted toward the enemy but no.... k pop is the answer

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

Love trumps hate! Hahaa

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vangelov (60) · 7 years ago

Honestly kpop is a verry strange style but not much different than oir traditional chalga.. The difference is the level of cuteness being radiated per second :D
Great post otherwise ^^
Cheers

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

Hahahahhaha right on. Thanks for the comment!

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slugnoid (52) · 7 years ago

역시 영어가 유려하십니다 :)

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

한국말 도 이정도 되는게 목표입니다!

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donkeypong (75) · 7 years ago

If cute girls and bad music can help prevent needless suffering, then I support it!

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago (edited)

If cute dancing girls can't at least distract from conflict, I don't know what can....

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donkeypong (75) · 7 years ago

I agree. Cutie diplomacy. It's worth a try!

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago (edited)

Especially after recent events, it just may well be...

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alexthemagician (56) · 7 years ago

Very interesting post especially if blasting of the k-pop is true and working :)

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

Thanks for the comment! I have my doubts but we'll see =)

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soyo (63) · 7 years ago

어릴 때 본 만화 마크로스(미국판으로는 robotech)에 유사한 내용이 나옵니다. 지구를 침략한 외계인들에게 아이돌 노래를 들려주자 문화를 깨닫고 종전이 이루어지죠. 폭력보다 문화의 힘이 큼을 믿습니다.

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

소요님의 관점에 동감합니다. 하지만 문화가 힘이 너무 커서 북한한테는 상황을 더 좋게 만들지 어떻게 힘들게 만들지 궁금하네요. Robotech 만화 당연 본적이 있습니다. 소요님은 만화를 좋아하시는거 추측해봅니다 ㅎㅎ

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soyo (63) · 7 years ago

땅이 갈라진게 문제가 아니고 마음이 갈라진게 문제죠. 문화의 힘은 폭력적이지 않은 방법으로 같은 생각 같은 경험을 공유할 수 있게 해줍니다. 그것은 같은 것을 소중하게 여기게 만들죠. 우리가 문화안에 진정 소중한 것들을 담는다면 그것을 사랑하는 사람들은 서로를 이해하게 됩니다. 만화 좋아하는 건 사실입니다 :-)

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago (edited)

제가 이 말을 quote하고 싶습니다...경험을 하게하고, 같은것을 소중하게 여기게 해주는게 문화이다. 그문화의 파워를 요즘에는 종종 너무 당연하게 생각하고 사는것 같습니다. 정말 멋진 코멘트입니다. 고맙습니다.

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soyo (63) · 7 years ago

얼마든지 인용하셔도 됩니다. 한식하우스님이 진행하고 있는 세상을 아름답게하는 사업도 항상 응원하고 있습니다.

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

ㅠㅠ 고맙습니다...

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lovedj (58) · 7 years ago (edited)

soyo님의 의견에 동의합니다. 하지만 문화안에 담겨진 소중한 것들이 제 역할을 하지 못하고 주로 독재세력들의 통치수단으로 이용되어 왔다는 사실을 우리는 주목할 필요가 있습니다. 그러므로 시민으로서 민주정치에 관심을 가지고 그것의 가치를 지켜내야만이 문화가 제 기능을 다할 수 있다고 봅니다.

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

큰 틀에서 보면 국가관과 문화가치를 더 증폭하는 작업을 함과 동시에 민주정치의 참여가 이뤄져야 한다는 것이죠. 그리고 그것이 궁극적으로 시민의 의무인 것이구요. 좋은 코멘트 고맙습니다.

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voronoi (70) · 7 years ago

This is so insane! Haha, I always thought that Kpop could be weaponized...

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

I guess long, perfectly waxed legs make good missile ammunition....

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firstsomali (42) · 7 years ago

Amazing idea..
Imagine if they hypnotize all people.
I am just saying!.

Advertising, music, atmospheres, subliminal messages and films can have an impact on our emotional life, and we cannot control it because we are not even conscious of it.

#2017

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

Yea, the debate whether this is South Korea's own propaganda is definitely a legitimate one.

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goldsilverguide (47) · 7 years ago

Do you think you can visit North Korea to see all the if they are actually torturing their people?

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

South Koreans almost never get to step on North Korean soil but according to other international tourists, NK painstakingly hides all of this activity.

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goldsilverguide (47) · 7 years ago

Wow, I wonder how it is to live there? maybe it is a hell in a bag for them. I think maybe if they lets some better trade agreements there and ppl travel there it'll get better for the ppl there.

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stonedfood (61) · 7 years ago

After a while, you'll get sick of any music. Especially pop music. Anyone who worked in a grocery store will tell you this

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

Hahahahaha, you're so right.

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kwonjeongju (50) · 7 years ago

thanks for reading~~^^*

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

Thank you!

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1 vote

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

Suhweeet.

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divilati (47) · 7 years ago

I imagine the thrill at N.Korea to hear something out of this century instead!

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hansikhouse (72) · 7 years ago

It must be the strangest experience...
Thanks for the comment!

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valueup (57) · 7 years ago (edited)

Good Post! Applying to steemit which has to share or take away users from YOUTUBE,Instagram and so on, making film that sing the profit and high-quality writings of best performers(by beautiful steemians :D)on steemit would be effective. Just in my though. Thanks for giving chance to think various things, @hansikhouse.