Youths publicly executed in North Korea for watching dramas

Two youths were executed in North Korea after watching and distributing doramas – teen series made in South Korea. That's what anonymous witnesses told Radio Free Asia.

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Still according to these anonymous sources, the fact happened in October, in the city of Hyesan, on the border with China. The teenagers were executed by the country's firing squad and the population was forced to watch at the city's airfield.

A third young man was also allegedly murdered for trying to kill his stepmother.

“Those who watch or distribute South Korean films and series, and those who break the social order by killing other people will not be pardoned and will be sentenced to the maximum penalty: death,” one of the Korean military reportedly said. North.

The youths were killed approximately a week after the government announced more restrictive measures involving foreign media. Authorities placed emphasis on South Korean content.

photo: shutterstock

According to the website koreaboo, executions like this are rare in the country, although they are not obsolete. Furthermore, they are used to frighten the population into continuing their submissive obedience.

World shocked by execution of North Korean youths

The death of young people, especially for this reason, shocked the world as soon as the story spread. Citizens of South Korea, in addition to being shocked, were disgusted by the news and see that the dream of the two countries uniting is increasingly distant.

“I bet you yourself, Kim Jong-un [Supreme Leader of North Korea], listen to our dramas and watch our dramas. How selfish can you be as a dictator?”, revolted one South Korean. “Shows that we watch comfortably on the floor of our rooms is something that puts the lives of North Koreans at risk,” complained another.

“School-aged youngsters, so young… This is crazy. This is why people are deserting the country,” wrote one internet user. “It is sad that we are the only divided country in the world. But North Korea antagonizes our culture so much that a reunification is impossible,” commented another.

What is Drama?

Literally, a drama is a Korean drama, usually aimed at a teen or young adult audience. However, any South Korean production can be, to a certain extent, characterized by this nomenclature.

Doramas have been around since the 1960s, but have only become popular outside Asia in the last decade.

Graduated in Social Communication at the Federal University of Goiás. Passionate about digital media, pop culture, technology, politics and psychoanalysis.