....
The main reason behind the increase in propaganda investments appears to be
the need to counter the creeping influence of the modern world. "It isn't
quite realized in the West how much of a threat the penetration of ideas is.
The regime of Kim Jong-il sees it as a social problem that could bring down
the state," says Brian Myers, a North Korean expert at Dongseo University in
South Korea.

Since the late 1990s, a subtle influx of entirely new products and ideas -
hence destabilizing for the regime - has been entering from the borders with
China and South Korea. Some analysts have described this as "soft
globalization". Pocket radios, CDs, videos, cellphone signals from China and
practically any other product of the western cultural industry are feeding a
rich form of underground trade.

Smuggling appears to be on the increase in defiance of tough penalties
imposed by the regime: for example, those caught listening to broadcasts
from abroad risk being sentenced to forced labour.

http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=8192&size=A