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| The Moranbong Band and other North Korean perform during a key function in Pyongyang, December. / Yonhap |
By Oh Young-jin
Can South Korea stomach North Korea's Moranbong Band, whose performances focus on glorifying dictator Kim Jong-un while belittling the Seoul government and antagonizing the United States?
The band sometimes features mockups of North Korean tanks and performers in military uniforms, describing South Korea and the U.S. as helpless enemies. Its music and lyrics reflect the North's military-first policy.
A Youtube video shows the band performing at a concert to praise the test-firing of intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14 and Kim Jong-un's role in it.
The two Koreas are conducting talks about the North's participation in the Feb. 9-25 PyeongChang Winter Games, setting aside their hostile stances over the North's missile and nuclear development.
The North is apparently pushing to feature the Moranbong Band, often described as the North's equivalent of a K-pop band and the North Korean dictator's favorite group.
Hyon Song-wol, the leader of the all-female band, is part of the North's delegation to the talks.
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| Hyon Song-wol, the leader of the all-female Moranbong Band, is part of the North's delegation to the ongoing inter-Korean talks. The photo was taken in Beijing, China, on Dec. 10, 2015. / Xinhua-Yonhap |
Kim Jong-un established the band in July 2012 with the focus on Western-style music.
The problem is that the band is devoted to playing paeans to the North's leadership. Performances include anti-South Korea and anti-U.S. sentiments.
Their repertoire was so controversial that, according to some reports, a couple years ago their Chinese hosts raised an issue over it, leading the band to cancel appearances and return to the North.
"If the Moranbong Band comes to the South, and if its members wear military suits or use material containing praise for Kim Jong-un and if the launching of nukes and missiles is shown on screen on stage, it could trigger a big row," Yonhap News Agency quoted Sejong Institute senior research fellow Cheong Seong-change as saying.
