Once in a while I publish old Soviet posters to give my readers a glimpse of what was referred to as “visual agitation” during my childhood years but even I have to step back in awe when I look at the North Korean poster art that sometimes appears in Andrei Lankov’s blog. Andrei Lankov is a prominent Russian scholar of the Korean history, whose articles (in English) and blog posts (in Russian) offer unique and revealing perspective of the North and South Korea.
I am just translating Lankov’s captions which originally appeared here.
America - the Country of the Axis of Evil.
The best way to get yourself off the Axis of Evil is to draw a new one. (m.v)
World Revolves Around Korea
This is a literal translation of the slogan on the poster. Other phrases are: Anti-Imperialist Independence, Peace and Security in the Whole World, The Great Cause of Socialism, Defense of Peace, Fair World Order.
For The Ever-Victorious General! Attack, Death Squads and Suicide Bombers!
Images of Suicide Bombers (Kamikazes) were borrowed by Koreans from the Japanese.
Draw Strength From Ideology and Faith
Pictured N.Korean Marathon Olympic Gold Medalist Jong Song Ok. Top caption: “Just Like Jong Song Ok, who was thinking only of the Ever-Victorious General”.
For The Ever-Victorious General! To the Victory!
There Can Be No Peace Without Korea
Top Caption: We Don’t Want a War and Desire Peace, But If Someone Threatens Our Independence, There Will Be No Mercy.
Bonus question: What country is being hammered by the Korean body-builder(m.v).
Use Various Means To Raise More Farm Animals
Hit! Another Hit!
Top Caption: For Each Round- An Enemy Ship!
Repay American Imperialist Wolves by a Thousand-Fold
More love for the US of A.
More Meat and Milk!
Top Caption: Actively Develop Grazing Lands!
WTF? Why would North Korea want to smash the Lakota Nation like that? What did the Souix ever do to the Ever-victorious General to deserve such retribution? Clearly the running-dog capitalist media is keeping something from us here.
How many means are there to raise more farm animals? I fear the answer.
Something might have gotten lost in Korean-Russian-English translation.
Dang, I wish I could read your language. BTW, did Lankov mention when these posters are from (or if it’s a span of recent years)? From the awesome graphic design … these could be 60 years old. Artists going for a “retro” look or just stuck with a tradition?
Considering that Axis of Evil is mentioned, can’t be any older than 2001; he didn’t mention the source. There is another post with posters on his blog, I may translate it later.