N. Korean leader calls for 'renaissance' of propaganda movies

SEOUL, July 31 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, reportedly stricken
with chronic illness and apparently feeling the pinch of U.N. sanctions on his
isolated regime, is seeking a "renaissance" of the country's propaganda film
industry, according to Pyongyang's state media monitored here Friday.

A group of filmmakers in North Korea, at Kim's guidance, gathered at the People's
Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on Thursday and agreed to make more films that
"show the greatness of the Workers' Party and leader Kim Jong-il, as well as the
superiority of North Korea's socialism," the Korean Central Broadcasting Station
and Radio Pyongyang reported.
The outlets said Choe Ik-gyu, Workers' Party publicity director, and Ri
Sang-thae, senior secretary at the state movie committee, attended the event, but
did not elaborate on how many people participated.
The participants quoted Kim Jong-il, known to be a film buff, as having called
for a reinvigoration of the communist nation's propaganda film industry, which
peaked in the 1970s.
Kim asked for the ignition of "the flames of a movie revolution in the Songun
(military-first) era, describing movies as the most powerful tool for public
education," an attendee said.
The state-run outlets did not say when Kim made those comments.
Kim is reportedly suffering complications from a stroke last August, while his
country begins to feel the effects of stiff international sanctions imposed on
the communist state for its recent nuclear test.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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