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North Korea's Mass Games 'paused' after Kim criticism | North Korea's Mass Games 'paused' after Kim criticism |
(about 8 hours later) | |
North Korea's most important propaganda event, the Mass Games, has been put on hold after criticism from the country's leader Kim Jong-un, tour firms say. | North Korea's most important propaganda event, the Mass Games, has been put on hold after criticism from the country's leader Kim Jong-un, tour firms say. |
Young Pioneer Tour, a company which organises trips to the hermit state, tweeted that the games "will be stopped from 10 June until further notice". | |
Koryo Tours, another North Korea specialist, also gave the same date. Pyongyang has so far made no comments. | Koryo Tours, another North Korea specialist, also gave the same date. Pyongyang has so far made no comments. |
On Monday, Mr Kim criticised the games for "their wrong spirit of creation". | On Monday, Mr Kim criticised the games for "their wrong spirit of creation". |
After attending the opening day of the colourful and well-choreographed event, he also spoke of an "irresponsible work attitude", state media reported. | After attending the opening day of the colourful and well-choreographed event, he also spoke of an "irresponsible work attitude", state media reported. |
Mr Kim had already called earlier this year for a new approach to propaganda. | Mr Kim had already called earlier this year for a new approach to propaganda. |
Correspondents say North Korea may be preparing for more economic and ideological isolation after talks with the US stalled. | Correspondents say North Korea may be preparing for more economic and ideological isolation after talks with the US stalled. |
What do tour firms say? | What do tour firms say? |
Young Pioneer Tours, which describes itself as a "leading travel company and experts in North Korea", said the Mass Games' suspension was "due to Kim Jong-un's dissatisfaction with the opening performance". | Young Pioneer Tours, which describes itself as a "leading travel company and experts in North Korea", said the Mass Games' suspension was "due to Kim Jong-un's dissatisfaction with the opening performance". |
Meanwhile Koryo Tours said the spectacle would be "adjusted" before being relaunched. | Meanwhile Koryo Tours said the spectacle would be "adjusted" before being relaunched. |
Koryo Tours brands itself as "the experts in travel to rather unusual destinations", including North Korea. | Koryo Tours brands itself as "the experts in travel to rather unusual destinations", including North Korea. |
North Korea's authorities have so far not confirmed that the games are to be paused. | North Korea's authorities have so far not confirmed that the games are to be paused. |
What does Kim's criticism mean? | What does Kim's criticism mean? |
The games are a huge propaganda event featuring tens of thousands of participants, many of them children, in precisely synchronised moves. | The games are a huge propaganda event featuring tens of thousands of participants, many of them children, in precisely synchronised moves. |
This year it kicked off with what was supposed to be the beginning of a months-long propaganda festival, featuring enormous co-ordinated displays. | This year it kicked off with what was supposed to be the beginning of a months-long propaganda festival, featuring enormous co-ordinated displays. |
The event is designed to celebrate the country and boost morale, but Mr Kim's criticism is not unusual, analyst Minyoung Lee of NK Pro told the BBC. | The event is designed to celebrate the country and boost morale, but Mr Kim's criticism is not unusual, analyst Minyoung Lee of NK Pro told the BBC. |
"Kim Jong-un publicly criticises departments and poor work performance," she said, adding that his criticisms can range from public spectacles like the mass games to even mundane things like poor tree-planting. | "Kim Jong-un publicly criticises departments and poor work performance," she said, adding that his criticisms can range from public spectacles like the mass games to even mundane things like poor tree-planting. |
Key to interpreting his criticism is the context of the past months. In March, Mr Kim said the country needed to do its propaganda in a "novel" way. | Key to interpreting his criticism is the context of the past months. In March, Mr Kim said the country needed to do its propaganda in a "novel" way. |
Since then, state media has increased its coverage of propaganda work and warned against "bourgeoisie ways of life" and "non-socialist phenomena", Ms Lee said. | Since then, state media has increased its coverage of propaganda work and warned against "bourgeoisie ways of life" and "non-socialist phenomena", Ms Lee said. |
Is Pyongyang under pressure? | Is Pyongyang under pressure? |
The sudden focus on propaganda may seem like a surprise, but Pyongyang's efforts make sense when seen against the recent failure of US-North Korea talks. | The sudden focus on propaganda may seem like a surprise, but Pyongyang's efforts make sense when seen against the recent failure of US-North Korea talks. |
When negotiations with the South and Washington began, the propaganda machinery scaled down its criticism of those two traditional enemies. | When negotiations with the South and Washington began, the propaganda machinery scaled down its criticism of those two traditional enemies. |
"Pyongyang may feel insecure about the ramifications of the diplomatic detente and softer anti-South Korea and anti-US rhetoric on the people's mindset," said Ms Lee. | "Pyongyang may feel insecure about the ramifications of the diplomatic detente and softer anti-South Korea and anti-US rhetoric on the people's mindset," said Ms Lee. |
Yet the current diplomatic stalemate means it is unclear if talks with the US will continue. | Yet the current diplomatic stalemate means it is unclear if talks with the US will continue. |
Sanctions relief seems out of reach for now and the North will have to prepare its population for what could be prolonged economic difficulties. | Sanctions relief seems out of reach for now and the North will have to prepare its population for what could be prolonged economic difficulties. |
This means "hardening the people's minds against outside influences and promoting domestic unity," said Ms Lee. | This means "hardening the people's minds against outside influences and promoting domestic unity," said Ms Lee. |