The Cleanest Race

The Cleanest Race: How North Koreans See Themselves and Why it Matters presents a radical reinterpretation of North Korean ideology and national identity. Through analysis of domestic propaganda materials, B.R. Myers reveals that North Korea's core ideology is based on racial supremacy and extreme nationalism rather than communist principles. Myers examines North Korean films, novels, and internal media that average citizens consume, departing from traditional scholarship that focuses on external communications. His research draws from materials housed at South Korea's Ministry of Unification and Information Center on North Korea, providing direct access to how the regime communicates with its own people. The book traces the evolution of North Korean propaganda from the Japanese colonial period through recent times, analyzing how the state's racial messaging has remained remarkably consistent. Myers demonstrates the connections between North Korean racial theory and the ultranationalist ideas that dominated Imperial Japan. The work challenges conventional Western understanding of North Korea by arguing that the regime's actions stem from a race-based worldview rather than communist ideology or diplomatic strategy. This perspective offers new frameworks for interpreting North Korea's behavior on the world stage.

Readers appreciate Myers' perspective on North Korean ideology being rooted in race-based nationalism rather than communist theory. Many note the book provides clear explanations for North Korea's actions and propaganda. Positive reviews focus on: - Clear writing style and concise length - Original analysis that challenges common assumptions - Extensive use of primary sources in Korean - Explains behaviors that seem irrational to outsiders Common criticisms: - Some find the racial argument oversimplified - Limited discussion of economic factors - Could include more historical context - Several readers wanted more supporting evidence Ratings: Goodreads: 3.95/5 (585 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (89 ratings) Sample reader comment: "Myers makes a compelling case that we've misunderstood North Korea by viewing it through a communist lens rather than as a far-right ethnic nationalist state." -Goodreads reviewer Critical comment: "The author pushes his thesis too far and ignores other important factors that shape North Korean ideology." -Amazon reviewer

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The Real North Korea by Andrei Lankov Examines North Korean society through the lens of a former Soviet citizen who studied at Kim Il-sung University in the 1980s.

The Impossible State by Victor Cha Analyzes North Korea's political system through internal documents and the author's experience as Director of Asian Affairs at the National Security Council.

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🔍 The book's research draws heavily from children's cartoons and movies made for North Korean audiences - media that often reveals more about society than formal political documents. 📚 B.R. Myers spent over 20 years studying Korean culture and language before writing this book, teaching at universities in both South Korea and the United States. 🎯 The title "The Cleanest Race" refers to North Korea's belief that Koreans are morally pure and childlike, requiring protection from corrupting foreign influences. 🗞️ Much of the author's research came from analyzing the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, North Korea's main state publication, which he read daily for several years. 🔄 The book reveals how North Korean propaganda shifted after the 1990s famine, moving from promises of material prosperity to emphasizing military strength and racial superiority.