An Analysis of Narrative Types and Strategies in the North Korean Literary Series: Immortal History, Immortal Guidance, and Immortal Journey

An Analysis of Narrative Types and Strategies in the North Korean Literary Series: Immortal History, Immortal Guidance, and Immortal Journey

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This study examines the construction of the “Suryong” narrative across generations by analyzing the North Korean literary series: Immortal History, Immortal Guidance, and Immortal Journey. By investigating the 4.15 Literary Production Unit, the research identifies a significant generational shift among writers, reflecting a strategic transition in North Korean propaganda. While Immortal History focused on establishing primordial legitimacy, Immortal Guidance prioritized “practical justification” to address contemporary crises, marking a shift from a “cumulative narrative” of monumental fixation to a flexible “contextual narrative”. Furthermore, the decline in general circulation suggests a paradigm shift from broad mass agitation toward elite solidarity and ideological consolidation. The latest series, Immortal Journey, projects a vision of “national revival,” aiming to shed the image of international isolation by narratively constructing a “civilized nation” based on intellectual and technological prowess. Ultimately, this research demonstrates that North Korean leader-focused literature has evolved into a dynamic tool for navigating realistic hardships while recalibrating the regime’s legitimacy for a new era. This analysis provides critical insights into the internal mechanisms of North Korean cultural production.