Many slogans encourage the timely production of crops, such as vegetables, mushrooms, and other staple foods. These messages became more prevalent following the 1996 famine that killed an estimated 3 million people.[6] Slogans frequently contain calls to action designed to bolster patriotic feelings, encourage citizens to further the country's economy,[7] or support the sustainability and creation of renewable and non-renewable resources, such as electricity, coal and water.[a][b] Slogans were written to remind citizens of tasks and plans set up by the government, such as the "20 × 10 Policy", which aims to build "modernized" factories in 20 cities and counties per year over the course of 10 years.[9] Posters have been created to promote the April Spring Friendship Art Festival, the largest international competition in North Korea.[10][11]
A poster depicting three North Korean children dressed as a soldier, sailor and airman shooting an American soldier, supported by one as a nurse. Translated: "It is exciting to play as soldiers beating and seizing the Americans."
Soldiers from capitalist countries, such as South Korea and the United States, are portrayed in a negative light, often depicted being killed or humiliated by North Korean soldiers.[7][12] In propaganda slogans, the American government and military are often referred to as "imperialists".[13] Posters have occasionally been made in support of Korean reunification, especially after the Inter-Korean summits,[7] but in 2024, North Korea formally abandoned efforts to peacefully reunify Korea.[14] A fundamental ideology in the country,[15] single-hearted unity,[c] also referred to as "single-minded unity", is the practise of uniting to pursue a common goal. In the case of North Korea, Kim Jong Un has stated that the population's thinking and morals are "united closely around the leader".[16]
Slogans by decade
The following is a non-exhaustive list of North Korean slogans with propagandic intent sorted by original decade of release. Each slogan originates from North Korea, pertains to at least one of the recurring themes, and is worded to fit the definition of propaganda.[17]
Pre-1990s
Slogans in Chosŏn'gŭl and English first published before the 1990s, with relevant details
북과 남의 애국력량이 힘을 합쳐 안팎의 분렬주의자들의 《두개조선》조작책동을 짓부시고 조국을 통일하자!
Let the patriotic forces of the North and the South join forces to crush the "two Joseon" maneuvers of the separatists at home and abroad and unify the country!
김일성-김정일군사전략전술과 영웅적전투정신,완벽한 실전능력을 소유한 현대전의 능수, 진짜배기싸움군들로 준비하라!
Prepare to be elite soldiers of modern warfare and stout fighters who are equipped with the military strategies and tactics of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, the heroic fighting spirit and flawless abilities to fight an actual war!
Complete with credit the construction of Mirae Scientists Street and other major projects and thus splendidly adorn the venue of the grand October celebration!
Finish the building of the Paektusan Hero Youth Power Station No. 3 and the Wonsan Army-People Power Station at a time fixed by the Party without fail!
The Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex, the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex, the Songjin Steel Complex and the Kangson Steel Complex, add fuel to the flames of increased production!
This year we will mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of the sub-workteam management system[i] by the great Comrade Kim Il Sung, which is the advantageous form and method of our style to organize and manage for production.
Create more masterpieces of the times to make all the service personnel and people burn their hearts with the enthusiasm for the revolution and for struggle!
Let us realise as early as possible the processes of turning all people into scientific and technical talents and converting the country into a scientific and technical power!
우리는 주체혁명위업수행에서 력사적인 분수령으로 될 당 제7차대회를 승리자의 대회,영광의 대회로 빛내여야 합니다.
We must glorify the 7th Party Congress, which will be a historic watershed in the accomplishment of the Juche revolutionary cause, as a congress of victors and a congress of glory.
위대한 령도자 김정일동지의 사상과 업적을 만년초석으로 하여 주체의 사회주의위업을 끝까지 완성하자
Let us complete the cause of Juche socialism to the end, using the ideas and achievements of the great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il as the foundation for the rest of our lives.
↑ 석탄생산을 결정적으로 늘이자!, Let us increase coal production decisively! (2023)[8]
↑ 한의 전력, 한g의 석탄, 한방울의 물이라도 극력 아껴쓰자!, Let's conserve as much as possible, even if it's just one gram of electricity, one gram of coal, or one drop of water! (2014)[8]
↑ The term "sub-workteam management system" refers to one of the North Korean government's responses to food shortage. It is an agricultural plan in which work teams lease farmland and are given output.[88]
↑ The term "grass for meat" does not refer to vegetarianism, but instead the agricultural practice of providing sufficient grazing area (grass) for livestock (meat).[89]
↑ This slogan is not referring to a literal battle, but instead, a mass mobilisation campaign that preceded the 7th Congress. The campaign was criticised by Human Rights Watch, who claimed that the campaign meant uncompensated and forced labour, as well as child labour, and that its objectives were to boost outputs in manufacturing and agriculture and demonstrate loyalty.[91]
↑ The term "200-day battle" does not refer to a literal battle, but instead an economic plan.[92][93]
↑ The Mallima Speed Creation Movement, also known as the Mallima Movement, was launched in 2016 as part of Kim Jong Un's 5-year economic plan. The movement was named after the mythical horse Mallima, which is believed to fly 10,000 li a day, 10 times more than Chollima.[94]
↑ On 5 October 2020, an 80-day mass mobilisation campaign was announced,[97] which took place from 12 October until 30 December 2020.[98]
1 2 The poster depicts a North Korean tank crushing South Korean soldiers.
↑ This was made for the April Spring Friendship Art Festival, an international competition associated with improving relations between North Korea and other countries.
↑ Han Seung Yeon (21 March 2020). "북한, 코로나19 여파 다음달 예정 친선예술축전 취소"[North Korea cancels next month's friendship art festival due to COVID-19] (in Korean). KBS. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
↑ "우리 인민의 신념의 구호 《우리 식대로 살아나가자!》"[The slogan of our people's belief: "Let's live our own way!"] (in Korean). 6 March 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
↑ "로동신문 《사상관점도 투쟁기풍도 선군의 요구대로!》"[Rodong Sinmun, "Ideological perspective and fighting spirit are in line with the demands of Songun!"]. KCNA (in Korean). 26 January 2004.
↑ "공동구호를 높이 받들고 승리의 5월을 향하여 총돌격 앞으로!"[Let's hold the common slogan high and charge forward toward the May of victory!]. Rodong Sinmun (in Korean). 19 February 2016. Archived from the original on 19 February 2016.
1 2 3 4 "우리 당과 인민의 영원한 수령이신 위대한 령도자 김정일동지 탄생 75돐경축 중앙보고대회 진행"[Central Report Conference Held to Celebrate the 75th Birth Anniversary of Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il, the Eternal Leader of Our Party and People] (in Korean). Retrieved 16 September 2024.
1 2 Lee, Seung-hyun (17 August 2017). "북, '공화국 정부성명'지지 선전화 6종 발표"[North Korea releases 6 propaganda posters supporting the 'statement of the Republic of Korea government'] (in Korean).
1 2 3 "【论评】从人民军军旗改制说起"[[Comment] Talking About the Reforming of Korean People's Army Flags]. Zhihu (in Chinese). 21 December 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
↑ "article". Rodong Sinmun. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
↑ "DSCF2414". Flickr. 14 August 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
↑ "DSCF2407". Flickr. 14 August 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
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