How the United States Sees North Korea

How the U.S. Sees North Korea

     The above is from PBS producer Hannah Yi's trip to North Korea. She experienced the same thing that many Americans face when they are tourists in the DPRK: a largely regimented tour schedule dedicated to convincing them how stable and perfect North Korea is. What Yi found, and that most Americans in general find, is that although the state is highly propagandized, the citizenry is normal and loves to interact with tourists. It's a stark contrast to the depressing country we are shown in most media productions. What Yi remarked most candidly, was that she was drawn to the mundane, normal moments that allow North Koreans to reveal their humanity. Throughout all of the agitprop done by the government, it's still a place with ordinary people, and it's important to not pander to easy stereotypes and xenophobia.