North Korea

About

North Korea is an Asian country which constitutes the northern half of the Korean peninsula. Although the country claims to be a socialist state, it is closer to a totalitarian dictatorship with a notable cult-of-personality around the Kim family of rulers. As international tensions between the country and other nations rose in the 2010s, the country became the subject of many jokes and memes.

History

In 1894, the First Sino-Japanese War was fought between China and Japan over rule of Korea, and in 1910 Japan officially took over the Korean peninsula. In 1945, Japan gave up their rule on the peninsula following their loss in World War II and Korea was split into two halves, with the Soviet Union occupying the northern half and the United States occupying the southern. North Korea was officially formed in 1948 with Kim Il-Sung as its leader. In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, starting the Korean War and prompting the formation of a demilitarized zone between the two halves. North Korea slowly became more independent following the war. In 1994, Il-Sung died and was replaced by his son Kim Jong-Il. In the 2000s, the country began to involve itself with nuclear technology following the United States’ new consideration of the country as a threat. In 2011, Kim Jong-Il died and was succeeded by his son Kim Jong-Un. In 2013, North Korea attempted to create intercontinental ballistic missiles, which sparked an international crisis.^[1]

Internet Presence

North Korea’s official presence on the Internet at large is extremely limited, as most of the country’s populus uses an Intranet system named Kwangmyong; most Internet connection in the country is limited to government officials as well as hackers hired by the government. The North Korean government runs the website Uriminzokkiri, which is connected to the government’s Central News Agency.^[2] Uriminzokkiri also runs profiles on sites such as YouTube and Twitter.^[3][4] Several North Korean websites also exist for those outside the country, though many of them are blocked in their own country.^[5]

Outside of its official Internet presence, many websites are dedicated to North Korea. Some websites, such as 38 North, have the intent of informing about the reclusive country, others approach more niche subjects; the website such as Pyongyang Traffic Girls, for example, focuses on the country’s female traffic conductors.^[6][7]

Notable Memes and Events

Kim Jong-Il

Kim Jong-Il was the second leader of North Korea, succeeding his father Kim Il-Sung in 1994 and ruling until his death in 2011. Although he was not as popular a subject of memes as his son Kim Jong-Un, he inspired at least one meme in the form of Kim Jong-Il Looking At Things.

Kim Jong-Un

Kim Jong-Un is the third leader of North Korea, coming into power after his father’s death in 2011. Due to his portly appearance and youth, Un has been the subject of various jokes and memes online, which include Hungry Kim Jong-Un, Kim Jong-Un Bent Over, and Kim Jong-Un Looking Through Binoculars.

Justin Bieber to North Korea

Justing Bieber to North Korea was a 2010 attempt by users of the imageboard 4chan to send the popstar Justin Beiber to North Korea through rigging a contest on the singer’s website. North Korea was crowned the winner of the contest, although Bieber did not have a tour date in the country.

Operation North Korea

Operation North Korea was a series of 2013 breeches and hacks on various North Korean websites and social media profiles carried out by the Internet vigilante group Anonymous.

2014 Sony Pictures Entertainment Hack

The 2014 Sony Pictures Entertainment Hack was a cyberattack on the computer network of the company Sony Pictures Entertainment by North Korean hackers, which lead to the leak of a large number of confidential documents surrounding upcoming movies and employees of the company. The hack was carried out by North Korean hackers in response to The Interview, a film in which a journalist is sent to the country to assassinate Kim Jong-Un.

Best Korea

Best Korea is a phrase used ironically praise North Korea as the superior country of the two Koreas. The phrase derives from North Korea’s infamous and widespread use of idealistic propaganda about itself.

/r/Pyongyang

/r/Pyongyang is a satirical subreddit which claims to be an official arm of the North Korean government. The subreddit is infamously known for its strict censorship and ban policies on those who speak negatively of North Korea.

Search Interest

External References