Since the mid-20th century, North Korea’s domestic politics have centered on the idea that the whole world is out to get them, and therefore they must be fiercely independent from outside influence. Openly asking for international aid would be like admitting defeat against all their political enemies, real and imagined. Nobody in power is going to do that.
This. Their entire system of authoritarian control depends on it. The people are brainwashed into believing it’s true and if cracks start to appear in the facade, the government could (and definitely would for NK) quickly lose control of the people. The regime would be toppled.
Are civilians really brainwashed and think it’s true though? Or are they just like regular people and deal with it while getting through the daily grind?
The authoritarian ruler maintains control when enough people are brainwashed. See the current situation in the USA as an example. It’s not necessarily even the majority, but enough to maintain and enforce power.
There is a large amount of state propaganda using the conflict as justification for the state’s existence. I would imagine whether people believe to be true or not to be on a spectrum line other countries.
Since the mid-20th century, North Korea’s domestic politics have centered on the idea that the whole world is out to get them, and therefore they must be fiercely independent from outside influence. Openly asking for international aid would be like admitting defeat against all their political enemies, real and imagined. Nobody in power is going to do that.
This. Their entire system of authoritarian control depends on it. The people are brainwashed into believing it’s true and if cracks start to appear in the facade, the government could (and definitely would for NK) quickly lose control of the people. The regime would be toppled.
Are civilians really brainwashed and think it’s true though? Or are they just like regular people and deal with it while getting through the daily grind?
The authoritarian ruler maintains control when enough people are brainwashed. See the current situation in the USA as an example. It’s not necessarily even the majority, but enough to maintain and enforce power.
You make a good point there.
There is a large amount of state propaganda using the conflict as justification for the state’s existence. I would imagine whether people believe to be true or not to be on a spectrum line other countries.
So OP nailed it lol
But they could do it and not tell the people.
It might not be that easy to keep it a secret