Disney Characters Take the Stage in North Korea
A concert held in North Korea for that country's new leader, Kim Jong Un, featured a few well-loved Western characters. Mickey, Minnie, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger took to the stage during a recent concert in Pyongyang while clips from Disney films played in the background.
Though the Disney characters are not new to North Korea (they've long been favorites of children there and have been featured on merchandise like backpacks and pajamas), this appearance looks to be the first time Mickey and company have been included in a stage show there. The inclusion of the Disney characters in a show is also a departure from the usual stage fare - especially for a show that is made public on state television.
Kim, who took over leadership of North Korea in December upon his father's death, is said to have a "grandiose plan to bring about a dramatic turn in the field of literature and arts this year" according to the Korean Central News Agency. Some speculate featuring characters from the West - and more specifically, the United States - may be an attempt by the young leader to project a different image than the previous rulers and one that is more lenient toward Western culture.
To this date, North Korea and the United States remain in a "technical state of war" due to the signing of a truce rather than a peace treaty in 1953 after three years of fighting.
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The Cookie Crumbler wrote on Tue, 07/10/2012 - 13:14:
I read about this yesterday. Any word from the Disney corporation on whether this was something licensed/approved by them? It's not hard to get convincing knock offs from China, and North Korea has a decent trade relationship with them.
Kristen K. wrote on Wed, 07/11/2012 - 12:43:
The statement I heard on the news was something along the lines of Disney being encouraged at North Korea was embracing even a small part of Western Culture.
Melinda Gregory wrote on Wed, 07/11/2012 - 16:48:
@ Cookie: From what I read, it's unclear whether or not the costumes were indeed licensed; the Disney merchandise that's already in the country appears to come from China...
AllieV wrote on Sun, 07/15/2012 - 05:37:
I doubt they were licensed. Currently stationed with my husband in South Korea and enforcement of trademarks and copyrights is nonexistent in Asia in general. Just recently came across a 'Dolce and Gabbana' sweatshirt with 'Mickey Mouse' on it. :-P
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