ICC Note: North Koreans are not impressed by their leader’s recent diplomatic offensive with other major international actors. They don’t believe the latest propaganda will lead to the betterment of their lives. They have a lack of faith in their leader as they have been fooled too many times before.  

05/17/2018 North Korea (Radio Free Asia) – North Korean citizens have been largely unmoved by state propaganda heralding the diplomatic achievements of national leader Kim Jong Un, according to sources in the nuclear-armed, sanctions-hit state.

North Korea is looking forward to expanded trade and a chance of eased international sanctions in the wake of talks in April with the South Korean president and a possible meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in June, state media say.

Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the ruling Korean Workers’ Party, and North Korea’s Chosun Central Television are eagerly trumpeting Kim’s “great achievements,” a source in North Hamgyong province told RFA’s Korean Service.

“However, most North Korean residents don’t trust this propaganda,” RFA’s source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“Propaganda about North Korea becoming a great economic power because of Kim Jong Un’s brilliant strategic plan can now be heard everywhere in the media, at regional events, and in meetings,” the source said.

“But our citizens, who have been fooled by propaganda before, have some doubts about it.”

Even if a North Korea-U.S. summit follows last month’s successful talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, “very few people believe that this will open a road for us to become a great economic power,” RFA’s source said.

“People have been fooled for so long now that whatever Kim Jong Un promises, they refuse to believe it,” he said.

“We do not believe him. There is no one who trusts him. Not a single person!”.

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