Timothy Cho, a North Korean defector, shed light on the regime’s strict media control and propaganda. He revealed that purchasing a TV in North Korea involves government officials removing all channels except one, which airs nonstop content praising the Kim family. This includes documentaries, songs, and historical accounts glorifying the ruling dynasty. Cho described the “cult of personality” surrounding the Kims, with myths like a giant star marking Kim Jong-il’s birth. From a young age, citizens are taught to worship the Kims, bowing to their statues during national celebrations. Cho admitted to being so deeply indoctrinated that he starved himself after Kim Il-sung’s death, believing his “God” had died. His story underscores the pervasive propaganda and authoritarian grip on life in North Korea.
