North Korea: 10 years on, Kim Jong-un seeks to isolate country further
- Kim – who spent most of his childhood in Switzerland – had once appeared more flexible towards outside culture and market reforms
- But he is increasingly shutting down outside influences as he enters his second decade in office
North Korea has long been one of the world’s most isolated countries, with authorities seeking to maintain tight control over what information gets in or out.
These restrictions appeared to ease under Kim, who allowed the market to play a greater role in North Korea’s flagging economy, and invited an entourage of K-pop artists to perform in Pyongyang in 2018.
But the country’s situation is deteriorating under a self-imposed coronavirus blockade – a far more comprehensive measure than any of the international sanctions it is under for its nuclear programme.
Strict rules have snapped back into place as Kim looks to reinforce internal solidarity and his grip on society during times of hardship, analysts say.
“The growing censorship suggests that the regime is less confident,” said Troy Stangarone, senior director at the Korea Economic Institute.
Kim – who spent most of his childhood in Switzerland – had once appeared more flexible towards outside culture.
