The Political Economy of North Korean Arts

This introductory essay written for the general reader begins accordingly with a brief attempt at clarifying how the official North Korea sees itself. Against this background, we will point out some of the ways the individual contributions in this volume are tied to each other by multiple connections. These essays look at artworks in various mediums or styles, from oil (yuhwa2) to brush (chosŏnhwa) paintings, mosaics, book illustrations, musical instruments, postal stamps and even literature, and raise issues ranging from the origins, models, dating and originality of these art works to the difficulties that arise in exhibiting these works in the West and with discussing their meaning. We hope these essays will open new vistas, answer old questions and inspire new ones