'North Korean YouTuber' Yeon Mi introduces Pyongyang fashion... Why the mosaic?

"Shall We Enjoy Shopping?"... North Korean YouTuber Introduces Pyongyang Fashion
Unexpected Mosaic... Possible Western Brand
"Thorough Route Practice for Production... Proof of Human Rights Conditions"

A YouTuber promoting the superiority of the North Korean regime posted a video introducing the 'spring fashion' of Pyongyang women. While a girl enjoys shopping, browsing various clothing items, some products were mosaic censored, drawing attention. An expert who defected from North Korea analyzed that these might be products of Western brands that North Korea is reluctant to reveal.

According to the YouTube account 'NEW DPRK,' presumed to be operated by North Korean authorities, a video titled "Discover this year's latest fashion trends with a North Korean girl enjoying shopping" was uploaded on the 8th. The 7-minute 30-second video features a girl named 'Yeonmi,' who speaks fluent Chinese, introducing the '2023 Spring Women's Clothing Exhibition' held in Pyongyang from late last month to early this month in a vlog format.

Introducing Spring Fashion of Pyongyang Women by North Korean YouTuber Yeonmi
Image source: YouTube 'NEW DPRK'

Yeonmi toured the exhibition hall herself, introducing various clothes, bags, accessories, and cosmetics. She mentioned that bright-colored dresses are popular among young women these days and said, "Among many dress brands, I like 'Eunha' the most." Eunha appears to refer to the Eunha Trading Bureau, which is known to be affiliated with the Light Industry Committee and manufactures and exports various clothing items.

Yeonmi, who appeared wearing a black two-piece outfit adorned with pearl decorations, tried on polka dot dresses and silk clothing one after another, explaining, "In the past, only wealthy people could wear these." She also staged a scene examining designs on a touchscreen. Although this seems to be in the context of promoting achievements in light industry, products suspected of copying designs from overseas luxury brands were also spotted throughout the video.

'Shopping Vlog' but sudden mosaics, why?

Introducing spring fashion of Pyongyang women by North Korean YouTuber Yeonmi
Photo by YouTube 'NEW DPRK'

North Korean YouTube video introducing spring fashion of Pyongyang women
[Image source=YouTube 'Peter News']

What stands out is that in this 'shopping vlog,' some clothing, bags, and shoes were mosaic censored. The video from the 'Peter News' account, which also introduced the same exhibition focusing on interviews with sales staff, showed the same. Surrounding figures presumed to be salespeople or customers were also mosaic censored intermittently.

Choi Kyung-hee, head of the Sand Institute and a defector who earned her first doctoral degree overseas, evaluated, "The mosaics on products at such exhibitions are highly likely to be Western brand logos or counterfeit products." From North Korea's perspective, which emphasizes 'self-reliance' and has fostered hostility toward the U.S. and the West, it is unthinkable for foreign brand logos to appear in external propaganda videos.

Choi explained, "When bringing foreign products into the North, all labels are cut off at airports or ports, but logos embedded in the design itself cannot be removed." She added, "If such products are distributed, North Korea would naturally have to conceal them." She also noted, "There is a preference for foreign brands even in the North; for example, athletes like the American brand Nike the most."

Introducing spring fashion of Pyongyang women by North Korean YouTuber Yeonmi
[Image source=YouTube 'NEW DPRK']

Introducing spring fashion of Pyongyang women by North Korean YouTuber Yeonmi
Photo by YouTube 'NEW DPRK'

There is another incongruous scene. Except for the main character Yeonmi, all other people wore masks, and mostly only their backs were shown in camera angles. Even when Yeonmi adjusted her outfit while looking in a mirror amid the crowd, people all avoided her. Regarding the mosaics on individuals, Choi explained that North Korea, which values 'visual politics,' intends to attract attention through this very act.

The movements of exhibition visitors are also said to be 'thoroughly staged.' Choi pointed out, "Even if they are Pyongyang citizens, it is not easy to visit exhibitions or engage in free activities." She added, "In North Korea, to shoot a single scene or photo, dozens of rehearsals of movement routes are conducted." She further criticized, "The fact that even everyday movements are the result of training itself is evidence of human rights violations in North Korea."

On the 6th, the Korean Central News Agency reported on this exhibition, stating, "New types of spring and summer clothes presented by the Eunha Trading Bureau and the Pyongyang Garment Industry Management Bureau were highly praised as they suit the tastes, hobbies, and body shapes of our women, enhancing beauty and convenience in activities." Ultimately, the exhibition is interpreted not as an event for residents but as an intention to demonstrate that people's livelihoods are improving through the enhancement of 'light industry quality,' one of the indicators of people's living standards in North Korea, especially through industrial and cultural development related to clothing.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.