• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.553-560
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• 2024

In the 1970s, South Korea under Park Chung-hee's regime emphasized economic development along with anti-communism and nationalism. At the same time, North Korea, under Kim Il-sung, reinforced its ideology centered on Juche (self-reliance) and anti-foreign sentiment. This study aims to identify the characteristics of how state ideologies were visually represented and functioned through animation during this period. The research follows a three-part approach: First, it examines the socio-cultural context of South and North Korean animation. Second, it explores John B. Thompson's five modes of ideological operation-legitimation, dissimulation, unification, fragmentation, and reification. Third, it conducts a comparative analysis of South Korea's General Ttoli - The Third Tunnel (1978) and North Korea's Squirrel and Hedgehog (16 episodes), both produced in the 1970s. The analysis reveals that while there are similarities in the five modes of ideological operation-legitimation, dissimulation, unification, fragmentation, and reification-distinct characteristics emerge in each animation. General Ttoli portrays South Korea as a defender of democracy and freedom, demonizes the enemy, features a superhero grounded in entertainment, highlights the inequalities and human rights abuses in North Korean society. On the other hand, Squirrel and Hedgehog presents an advanced form of socialism, denigrates its enemies, emphasizes collectivism, features a growth-oriented hero character supported by allies, depicts an ideal society of equality, and prioritizes educational purposes.