Football in the DPR Korea: Propaganda vs. Practicality

How did the DPRK inject state propaganda into football, and was it always as intense as it is today? What gave birth to the DPRK players’ mentality of extreme loyalty? Could we see a normalisation of DPRK football culture in the near future? In this talk, Yong Ja Hong gives a historical overview of the development of the DPRK’s totalitarian political system through the lens of football.

Using a myriad of hard-sought original DPRK sources and the knowledge base of ROK academia, she explains how the expansion of Kim Il Sung’s personality cult had a profound impact on athletic life and how the personality cult had to take a back seat as winning football on the international stage took priority. With something for football fans, historical enthusiasts, and sociologists alike, this session will give a uniquely relatable perspective on one of the world’s most closed societies.
 
Yong Ja Hong is a doctoral candidate in North Korean society, culture, and media at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. She also holds a master's in North Korean studies and a bachelor's in unification, diplomacy, and security from Korea University. Her work, which primarily concerns DPRK athletics, has appeared in NK News and various academic conferences throughout Europe.
 
When?: June 10 (Tue), 2025, 17:30–19:00 (CEST; UTC+2)
Where?: Japanology Seminar Room 1, Hof 2, Entrance 2.4, AAKH Campus, Spitalgasse 2, 1090 Vienna
 
The lecture will be streamed via Zoom. Nevertheless, we highly encourage you to participate in-person. Please make sure to sign up for the guest lecture (online or offline). See our event page for more information.