North Korea has been escalating its offensive against South Korea. The country has recently garnered attention for anti-South sentiment among its residents by declaring that “traitorous South Korea is the primary enemy, an unchanging adversary.”
On May 31, North Korea’s media outlet, Rodong Sinmun, reported, “The reckless actions of the forces opposing our republic are becoming increasingly malicious, and the revenge of those visiting various class education centers nationwide is unceasing.” They added, “While engraving the will for ruthless punishment of our enemies, the number of visitors seeking the origins of their vengeful feelings is increasing daily.” According to the media outlet, about 1.67 million workers, laborers, soldiers, and students from over 25,260 units have visited places such as the Central Class Education Center, Sincheon Museum, and Susangri Class Education Center this year.
The media conveyed that the visitors “could not contain their rising anger” and “in front of the photographic materials, artifacts, and evidence of the brutal massacre of innocent people by the U.S. imperialists and class enemies. they further solidified their resolve not to scatter their class consciousness for even a moment to prevent the brutal history from repeating itself.”
In particular, each factory, enterprise, and farm reportedly emphasizes through mobile lectures that “traitorous South Korea, which is fiercely acting out, is indeed the primary enemy, an unchanging adversary.” Anti-class education refers to ideological education that incites hatred against imperialism and North Korea’s enemies and encourages struggle against them. It is unusual to single out South Korea and fuel anti-South sentiment.
This is noteworthy as North Korea has recently been escalating its offensive against the South. After the failed launch of the Military Reconnaissance Satellite No. 2 on the night of May 27, North Korea has been intensifying its hostility towards the U.S. and South Korea. Since May 28, they have sent trash balloons toward South Korea and attempted to jam GPS signals.
Furthermore, the newspaper reported that Kim Jong Un had overseen a firepower demonstration of a 600mm super-large multiple rocket launcher that could reach South Korea the day before the report. The newspaper used expressions such as “aiming at South Korea” and “not afraid of a pre-emptive strike,” indicating a hostile stance towards South Korea.
It appears they are waging a propaganda war to alleviate the satellite failure’s pressure and shift the situation by escalating external hostility. They may also hold rallies or meetings against South Korea and the U.S. to foster internal unity.