A youth group from North Korea has given rocket launchers to their military as a display of strong patriotism. The country, which is isolated from the rest of the world, believes that it is facing increasing threats from foreign countries.
On Tuesday, a political youth group called the Korean Children's Union (KCU) celebrated its 77th anniversary, where the donation of military equipment took place, as reported by Reuters.
The KCU was established with a mission to promote the North's political beliefs, which include "Juche," which emphasizes self-sufficiency, and its members are recognized by their red scarves.
North Korea Continues to Test Fire Missiles
North Korea has been increasing its propaganda activities and public messages lately, which include rallies where they burn effigies of South Korean and American leaders. This is happening while their missile and nuclear programs are causing concern globally.
Despite U.N. Security Council resolutions, North Korea continues to test-fire various missiles, including their largest intercontinental ballistic missile this year.
The previous week, there was global disapproval when they made an effort to send out their initial spy satellite, but the rocket and its contents ended up falling into the ocean.
Senior officials from the ruling party were present at Tuesday's event, but it was not disclosed how the money for the military equipment was collected. The rocket launchers were called "Sonyeon," meaning "boy" in Korean, despite the fact that the youth group is comprised of both boys and girls.
Read also: North Korea's First Spy Satellite Ready To Launch, Kim Jong Un Claims
Not a First
North Korea's focus on promoting its political beliefs and increasing propaganda activities is not new. The country has a history of tightly controlling information and using state media to spread its message, often portraying itself as the victim of aggression from other countries.
This approach has been intensified in recent years under leader Kim Jong-un, who has pursued an aggressive nuclear weapons program despite international sanctions. Many experts believe that this strategy is intended to bolster North Korea's position in negotiations with other countries, particularly the United States.
However, there are also concerns about how these messages may be received by ordinary citizens within North Korea. Despite efforts by the government to control access to information and suppress dissenting views, many people have found ways to obtain news from outside sources through smuggled radios or mobile phones.
There are also reports of growing discontent among younger generations who are increasingly aware of life beyond North Korean borders thanks largely due increased access via technological advances such as USBs loaded with foreign films/TV shows/news outlets being sold on black markets inside China which shares borderlines- however it remains unclear how widespread this sentiment truly is given strict controls over society at large
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