North Korean Doctor, Inspired by Hallyu, Forms Anti-Regime Group

and Recruits Followers to Spread Religion and South Korean Culture

SAND Institute Newsletter Team

A report reveals that a North Korean doctor, inspired by Hallyu (the Korean Wave), pledged in blood to form an anti-regime group, involving other people to spread religion and cultural beliefs. Analysts suggest that Hallyu's spread is shifting public consciousness and fueling anti-regime sentiment, which may explain Kim Jong-un's recent push for the "Two Korea Policy" to curb its influence.

Dr. Choi and other dissidents featured in North Korean educational video / SAND Institute English Newsletter Team

An internal North Korean educational video obtained by the SAND Team features a speaker discussing Dr. Choi: “A doctor named Choi appeared to have experienced a shift in beliefs after exposure to religion, culture, and Hallyu from various sources. Despite being raised under the Party’s care, he gradually succumbed to ideological corruption through religion, superstition, and secretly watching banned media, which led him to develop ambitions to oppose our system.”

It appears that Dr. Choi reportedly used his position as a physician to promote religion and superstition to his patients, even encouraging them to listen to South Korean broadcasts.

The video claims, “Choi, acting cunningly, would say that one way to cure illness was to believe in superstition. He subtly encouraged people to adopt religious beliefs and listen to enemy broadcasts.”

The video also stated that “Dr. Choi outwardly presented himself as a devoted doctor while secretly gathering followers to form an anti-socialist group.” It further claimed, “These individuals were so committed to their cause that they even drew their own blood to write oaths, driven by ambitions to overthrow our system.”

There is also evidence of religious and superstitious teachings being spread within North Korea. The video features Dr. Choi instructing his followers, “If you can make people believe in our religion and superstition, they will heed the words of God or spirits over those of the Workers’ Party.”

The video also suggests that their proselytizing activities extended to their wives. “Choi and other dissidents even involved their wives, who roamed the border areas, bringing in and spreading subversive materials promoting religion and superstition,” it claims.

The underground network reportedly distributed religious books and superstition-related videos throughout North Korea. This suggests that Hallyu is not only shaping public awareness but also fostering the rise of anti-regime intellectuals.