Korean Novel Research In The 1990s

During 1990s, DPRK was confronted with crises at home and abroad. The setbacks of socialism in Eastern Europe and the disintegration of Soviet Union induced political crisis of the country. Meanwhile, economic decline since 1980s turned into a serious economic crisis and the passing away of Chairman Kim Il-Sung caused the instability of handover. In all these crises together with large-scale natural disasters, the people of the country had to experience a period of hard time called 'Suffering March'.As the powerful "ideological weapon" of Workers'Party of Korea, the literature of North Korea needs to reflect the guiding principles and the policies of the government. Therefore, the literature works written in 1990s must reflect countermeasures and strategies which the government formulated during the crises mentioned above and because of this, they may show new features different from other time. In consideration of it, this study focuses on the full-length novels to analyze the aspects of North Korean literature in 1990s mainly using the immanent study method.The full-length novels of 1990s can be divided into three types.First one is socialist construction novel. This kind of novels published in 1990s covers the area of metallurgical, mining, energy, machinery manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and so on. Joy, Lofty Goals, Trust, Platinum Mountain, Aspirations are the representative works. These novels demonstrate the "superiority" of the economic structure of DPRK and constantly emphasize the importance of scientific, technological progress and the spirit of "Self-reliance". Furthermore, these novels criticize the bureaucratic, conservative and defeatist drawbacks of the leaders in the factories. Typical figures of these novels are "Model cadres", other than "Unknown heroes" who works hard for the people and the nation in average positions with no much recognition in 1980s. This change has close connection to the economic depression of North Korea and international circumstances in 1990s. The plots of these novels show similarity as well. They can be generalized as "take a new official post-discover the problem-propel reforms-have difficulties-overcome the difficulties and succeed".The second type is historical subject novel. Historical subject novels in 1990s contain three parts. They can be divided into Anti-feudalism, anti-aggression novels, anti-Japan revolution and Korean-war novels, and partition novels.A Northeast Wind (Second-half), General Lee Sun-sin, Mang Yi, Ulleung Island, Hong Gyeong-lae, are the representatives of anti-feudalism, anti-aggression novels. These works demonstrate the historical struggle against feudal system by the people who are "independences" and able to control their own fates. "Independent" has been the core of Juche Idea in DPRK. Furthermore, some of these novels reflect people's patriotic struggle against aggressions. These novels promote the spirit of "Korean nation NO.1" to stimulate patriotism of the people.Anti-Japan revolution novels continue to add and improve the genealogy of anti-Japan revolution in 1990s. Bonfire which bases on the story of revolutionists Jo Jeong-cheol, Choe Hui-suk couple and The Pioneer of the History (Second-half), main character of which is Kim Il-sung's father Kim Hyeong-jik, are the representative works. These novels are written to reinforce the "educational" functions of literature by which people may be encouraged to overcome the "Suffering March" of 1990s.Korean War novels continue to demonstrate the collective heroism and revolutionary romanticism of the soldiers and the people in the rear-area. Front Line (â…¡) and Baekdu Plateau (â… ,â…¡) are the representatives. Except for the inherent characteristics, Korean War novels in 1990s emphasize on some new features such as "DPRK Style", "Self-reliance" and "Hard Struggle".Some series of novels talking about the history of partition also appeared in 1990s, such as Ask History (â… ).It narrates a story of the city of Gyaeseong. It begins with the end of Japan's occupying. After the independence of Korea, the city was separated into two parts by the Military Demarcation Line and occupied by American army instead. People in Gyaeseong made their efforts to fight for the independence of the country. This novel highly praises on the "Messiah" of the nation-Kim Il-sung and emphasizes that the only way to get real unification is to follow Kim Il-sung.The last type of full-length novel published in 1990s is Leader worship novel. After finishing the task of "recording" the great achievement which Kim Il-sung had made in anti-Japan revolution, Eternal History series continue "recording" the great accomplishment which Kim Il-sung had made after that. The Summer in 1950, The Spring of DPRK, The Power of DPRK, Victory, The Legend of the Land,Immortality represent it. These works build the image of the Kim Il-sung as a sage who is selfless, always right, creative, bold, tough, wise, omnipotent and filled with love. Meanwhile, the series of Eternal Guide start to build the figures of Kim Jong-il at this time. The works belong to the series are Sagacity, The Blue Sky, The East Sea of a Thousand Miles, Great River of History, Pyeong Yang is Declaring, Conversion Times, Beacon-fire of Pyeong Yang, Conversion. In these works, "genius" Kim Jong-il shows his gifts for literature, art, architecture and leadership in area of reunification, economic construction, military diplomacy making and international communist movement. Except these novels directly contribute to the leader worshipping, there are some nonfiction novels which praises the leaders indirectly in 1990s, such as The Wish of the Era and Human Hooray. These novels chose Japanese as the leading characters to testify the greatness of the Juche Idea and the legitimacy of Kim Jong-il regime. The Leader Worship "created" by literature works are based on the principles which established by Kim Jong-il.