The purpose of this paper is to trace how North Korea’s united front tactic has been developing since the turn of the century on the basis of the existing study on the traditional tactic that has been in use between 1945 and 2009 and configure the e...
The purpose of this paper is to trace how North Korea’s united front tactic has been developing since the turn of the century on the basis of the existing study on the traditional tactic that has been in use between 1945 and 2009 and configure the effect it has had on the security of South Korea.
United front tactic is a typical organizational alliance tactic used by communists through which they acquire sympathizers to form a coalition capable of fighting when their power alone is insufficient to overwhelm their main enemy
North Korea has constantly used this tactic ever since its liberation in 1945. The reason that this tactic has been adhered to throughout the Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il era is because it was considered that the tactic could be the catalyst for communist reunification when combined with democratization movements and strong desire for reunification in South Korea. As the new millenium beckoned, increased room for linkage with and the generation of pro-North forces dictated that North Korea change its tactic to put the emphasis on cyberspace. So, During the Kim Jong Il years, both the traditional and cyberspace united front tatics were used in an integrated form.
According to various sources posted on ‘ku kuk jun sun’ which is operated by ‘Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front’, North Korea's united front tactic on cyberspace works in the following way : according to the early-year struggle directive of ‘ku kuk jun sun’, a detailed struggle directive is posted on pro-North web sites operating abroad, copied onto South Korean sites to be viewed by South Korean web users. In this way, the masses are swayed by the pro-revolutionary sentiment and when the time is ripe for some action, solidarity coalition is used as the strategic tactic of the united front tactic. The propaganda itself becomes the united front operation.
The online propaganda has proved to be a catalyst for offline solidarity and joint struggle movements as was evidenced by candlelight demonstrations against the import of American beef in 2008. Multitudes of internet users participated in nationwide demonstrations held under the title of ‘cultural festivals’, provoking chaotic scenes at Gwanghwamun. Thus the dominance of the progressive forces initiated by solidarity coalition was duly rubber-stamped.
This paper has carried out a comparative analysis on the differences between traditional united front tactic and cyber united front tactic by focusing on the application of strategic principles, the evolution of reunification discourse, mutual perception, differing environmental factors and continuity of accomplishments and reached the following conclusion. First, from strategical and tactical perspective, in the case of traditional united front tactic high class could be integrated with the low class with the latter functioning as a basis. However, this does not seem to be the case on cyberspace. Cyber tactic is more efficient in terms of solidarity and joint struggle, while no significant changes have been detected in other areas. Second, in terms of reunification discourse, it can be assumed that there is no significant difference between traditional and cyber discourse due to repetition of key words that go under constant albeit minor changes. Third, in terms of mutual perception North Korean’s perception of South Korea is improving in both traditional and cyber tactics while South Korean's are embracing the idea that they must help North Korea since they are one nation. Fourth, in terms of environment traditional tactic was implemented through personal contact, broadcasting and the spread of propaganda leaflets. However, as internet use became common among young people, it became possible to attract and utilize them as supporting cast and create a linkage with pro-North forces. Fifth, in terms of continuity of accomplishments, as North Korea continued to apply united front tactic entities such as ‘bumminryun’ have been created which act under direct orders from North Korea. Incidentally, South Korean’s perception of security threat has decreased as leftist and pro-North forces gained further ground. Similar tactic in cyberspace is also achieving great results. However, North Korea has no option other than using the traditional united front tactic due to security reasons in cyberspace as there are limits to nurturing core loyal members.
The influence North Korea’s cyberspace united front tactic has had on South Korea’s security are as follows : First, it has distorted the people’s perception to view U.S as their principal enemy and approach reunification in a distinctly emotional manner. Second, pro-North forces have stirred up an internal conflict to such a degree that South Korea is now fighting against enemies from whthin and without. Third, public opinion has turned against the military in general as well as the ROK-US alliance.
North Korea claims that victory in the decisive battle for revolutionary sovereignty in South Korea can be attained only through violent methods. The only way of denying North Korea from igniting a revolution in South Korea through violent means is by debilitating the execution of united front tactic. Thus, further study of whether the tactic has been executed by solidarity coalition in the offline realm must also be carried out.