A Close Examination of North Korean and Russian Media Narratives Surrounding Kim Jong Un’s Visit to Russia

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Global attention is primarily focused on North Korean and Russian media outlets for insights into the uncommon train excursion undertaken by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to confer with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a space installation.

Although both North Korea and Russia operate under authoritarian regimes that restrict journalistic freedom, the media narratives offered by these nations during this week serve as revealing indicators of their distinct media landscapes and the portrayal of the summit to their respective populations.

In North Korea, the function of the media is predominantly to serve as an instrument of state propaganda. Journalists in North Korea primarily aim to laud Kim Jong Un to both a domestic and international audience.

However, Kim Jong Un’s diplomatic mission to Russia has posed certain challenges to North Korean media narratives, particularly because the media environment in Russia permits greater flexibility and access to both foreign and local reporters compared to Pyongyang.

In Russia, the landscape of independent television media has been all but eradicated since the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. The majority of the populace relies on state-controlled television networks, which span multiple channels and 11 time zones, for their news consumption.

Additional Coverage

• The Historic Tradition of Train Travel by North Korea’s Leaders
• Kim Jong Un Lands in Russia Ahead of Anticipated Meeting with Putin
• Kim Jong Un Welcomes Chinese and Russian Dignitaries at North Korea’s 75th Anniversary Parade

This article aims to offer a comprehensive view into how citizens of both nations are receiving information regarding the meeting of these two isolated leaders, who seem intent on disregarding Washington while potentially deepening military ties between their countries.

North Korea

A significant indicator of major news developments in North Korea is the appearance of Ri Chun Hi on state television, colloquially referred to as the “Lady in Pink” due to her frequent wearing of traditional pink Korean hanbok dresses.

This week, Ri Chun Hi was indeed present on state television, enthusiastically announcing Kim’s departure from Pyongyang on his fortified train, embellished in hues of green and yellow. Ri has been a staple in North Korean broadcasting, having been generously rewarded by Kim for her years of loyal service.

The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) has been notably cautious in its reporting on the Russia visit, releasing only a select number of meticulously crafted articles, sometimes a day after the actual events transpired.

North Korea takes the veneration and preservation of Kim’s image very seriously, and thus far, Russian authorities have been compliant, notably with Putin accompanying him on a tour of Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome.

Nevertheless, the unpredictable elements of international diplomacy present a risk for North Korean media, which cannot fully control narratives that emerge from foreign soil.

Russia

In contrast, Russian state television networks were relatively subdued upon Kim’s arrival but promptly interrupted scheduled broadcasts to feature images of Putin meeting Kim at the space launch center.

Instead of the routine focus on Putin’s regional or ministerial interactions, the broadcast showcased a prolonged handshake between Putin and Kim, and their joint tour of Putin’s key project, the space facility.

Prior to the summit, Russia’s state wire service RIA Novosti emphasized that global interest in the meeting was high, while a prominent Russian TV pundit questioned how North Korea’s political system could be “so successful.”

Members of Russian state media enjoy unparalleled access to Putin and the Kremlin, and it was through their reporting that details of the meeting gradually became available to the public. However, little attention was paid to the possible underlying motives for the summit, such as potential exchanges involving North Korean weapons and Russian technology.

Television host Pavel Zarubin, who often has close access to Putin, posted a video on his Telegram channel showing Putin waving goodbye to Kim, looking satisfied, possibly indicating that the meeting met his expectations.

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Contributions from London by Burrows. Additional reporting by Kim Tong-hyung from Seoul, South Korea.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about media narratives

More about media narratives

• North Korean State Media Overview
• Profile of Russian Media Landscape
• Biography of Kim Jong Un
• Biography of Vladimir Putin
• North Korea-Russia Relations
• Authoritarian Media Control
• Role of Media in Diplomacy
• Understanding State Propaganda