Fact Check: "In 2021, Kim Jong Un reminded North Korean women to 'support their husbands and dedicate themselves to raising their children as socialist warriors.'"
What We Know
In December 2023, Kim Jong Un made a notable speech urging North Korean women to have more children to combat declining birth rates. He emphasized that raising children should be a collective effort, stating, “Stopping the decline in birth rates and providing good child care and education are all our family affairs that we should solve together with our mothers” (source-2). This speech aligns with North Korea's ongoing propaganda efforts that encourage women to contribute to the state's goals, including the upbringing of children who will support the socialist regime (source-1).
Kim's remarks reflect a broader theme in North Korean propaganda, where women are often portrayed as essential to the state's future. The regime has historically emphasized the importance of women's roles in raising children who will become "socialist warriors" (source-4). This narrative is consistent with the country's efforts to bolster its population and military strength, as declining birth rates pose a significant challenge to North Korea's demographic stability (source-3).
Analysis
The claim that Kim Jong Un reminded North Korean women to "support their husbands and dedicate themselves to raising their children as socialist warriors" is partially true. While there is no direct quote from Kim using the exact phrasing in the claim, the essence of his message aligns closely with it. He did indeed urge women to prioritize child-rearing in a manner that supports the socialist state (source-7).
The reliability of the sources varies. The New York Post and The Times of India provide coverage of Kim's speech, highlighting his emotional appeal to women regarding child-rearing (source-2, source-3). However, these outlets may carry a degree of sensationalism. On the other hand, North Korean state media and specialized news outlets like NK News provide a more direct account of the speech and its context, although they may also be influenced by the regime's propaganda (source-4).
Overall, while the claim captures the spirit of Kim's message, it does not quote him directly, which complicates a straightforward verification.
Conclusion
Verdict: Partially True
The claim that Kim Jong Un reminded North Korean women to "support their husbands and dedicate themselves to raising their children as socialist warriors" is partially true. While Kim did emphasize the importance of women in raising children for the socialist state, the specific wording of the claim is not directly supported by his speeches. However, the underlying message aligns with North Korea's propaganda themes, making the claim credible in its essence.
Sources
- List of North Korean propaganda slogans
- Kim Jong Un tearfully begs North Korean women to have more children
- Kim Jong Un weeps as he urges North Korean women to have more children
- Kim Jong Un lectures moms on 'growing' issue of errant youth and falling birth rate
- Women have become more powerful to make money. I ...
- For International Women's Day, North Korean women urged to bear more children
- North Korea's Kim Jong Un urges women to have more children
- Kim Jong Un urges women to be good comrades
