Seoul – Rodong Sinmun, North Korea’s main newspaper, published an unusual photo of Choo Mi-ae, a former South Korean justice minister and liberal politician, participating in an anti-government rally in Seoul. This move appears to be part of North Korea’s propaganda efforts to criticize South Korea.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the photo showed Choo smiling and holding up a sign demanding a special prosecution investigation against South Korea’s first lady, Kim Keon Hee. This image was among 11 other photos of a candlelight protest that occurred near the presidential compound in central Seoul last week. Notably, the photo was published without citing a source.
While the Rodong Sinmun frequently uses its platform to report on anti-government protests in South Korea for its domestic audience, it is rare for the newspaper to feature a photo of a high-profile South Korean politician. This indicates a notable shift in the newspaper’s approach to covering events in South Korea.
Government data reveal that from May to early November this year, the Rodong Sinmun has published around 40 articles on anti-government protests in South Korea. An official from South Korea’s unification ministry, which manages inter-Korean relations, suggested that such coverage is intended to portray South Korea negatively, distort reality, and prevent North Koreans from forming a positive view of their southern neighbor.