TOW #5- North Korean Parade

This weekend, Kim Jong Un, the leader of the hermit kingdom of North Korea, hosted a giant military parade. It appears to be one of the largest military parades the country has ever thrown, according to The New York Times. The author of the article, Lydia O’Conner, received the images via press release from the North Korean government. The procession was held in Pyongyang's main Kim Il Sung Square. The festival marks the 70th anniversary of the nation's ruling Workers' Party and featured military processions and colorful dance performances, all in immaculate synchrony. The elaborate celebrations occurred for two days in row, with the second day hosting a dolphin trick show.

Many photos were taken from the event- ranging from stark-faced military personal to traditionally dressed women crying in sheer joy. In all of those photos captured, they all use the idea of imagery to manipulate the world’s perception of the nation.One photo the North Korea press released was an image showing the soldiers marching down the square. Carefully choreographed, the North Korean photographer only captured images of healthy citizens. The soldiers within the photo are all wearing matching outfits, and all of them walk completely in an unformed fashion. In addition to the matching soldiers, all of them are carrying heavy weaponry. This blunt display of firepower, combined with the sheer number of soldiers obviously is a way for North Korea to display their military superiority to the rest of the globe.

 While the celebrations in Pyongyang were ornate, human rights groups say that most of the country's citizens are harshly repressed and suffering under horrific living conditions. By using these series of images, the government tried to change this perception, but to little available. In such an obvious power display, it will take more then extravagant events to convince the globe of North Koreas ‘prosperity.’