Omar Bennett
Lipstick diplomacy is a term that has been used to refer to North Korea's strategy of using attractive young women to represent the country. This strategy was notably employed during the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, where North Korea sent a 230-member cheering squad comprising young women from upper-class families in Pyongyang, selected for their loyalty to the party and their physical appearance. This article will explore the history of North Korea's use of 'lipstick diplomacy', the motivations behind it, and the ethical implications of employing this strategy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Lipstick diplomacy is a term used to describe North Korea's strategy of using attractive young women to represent the country and promote its interests. |
| Examples | - North Korea sent 230 young women, deemed "pretty" by the state, to accompany its 22 athletes to the Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in 2018. These women were referred to as an "army of beauties" and were chosen based on strict criteria, including height and family background. - The Moranbong band, an all-female music group handpicked by Kim Jong-un. - North Korea's state-run overseas restaurants, where young North Korean waitresses sing and dance in nightly shows. |
| Purpose | To improve North Korea's international image and promote its interests through soft power and charm offensive. |
| Effectiveness | Lipstick diplomacy has gained international notice and media coverage, with some suggesting that it helps North Korea's propaganda machine reach a wider audience and promote its agenda. |
| Criticism | Some critics argue that lipstick diplomacy perpetuates state-promulgated sexism and that the outside world, particularly South Korea, embraces these displays uncritically. |
| Related Concepts | Cultural diplomacy, soft power, charm offensive, propaganda. |
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What You'll Learn
North Korea's Lipstick Diplomacy
Lipstick diplomacy is a term that has been used to describe North Korea's strategy of deploying attractive young female representatives to international events. The term was used in 2018 when North Korea sent a delegation of 230 young women, deemed "pretty" by the state, to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, alongside 22 athletes. The women, who were selected based on height and family background, served as cheerleaders and wore traditional Korean garb and modern outfits. This was not the first time North Korea had sent an all-female cheering squad to an international sporting event, but it was their first global appearance.
The use of attractive young women to represent North Korea is not new. In addition to the cheerleaders, there is the Moranbong band, an all-female music group whose members are handpicked by Kim Jong-un. There are also North Korea's state-run overseas restaurants, which are staffed by young North Korean waitresses who sing and dance in nightly shows. These women are chosen for their loyalty to the party and are often from upper-class families in Pyongyang.
North Korea's propaganda machine is enormous and enduring, and it is primarily used inside the country to bolster the Kim dynasty's cult of personality. However, with North Korea's participation in the Olympics, its propaganda found a wider audience internationally. The presence of the "army of beauties," as the cheerleaders were dubbed, was seen as a rare display of openness from the reclusive country and was interpreted by some as a charm offensive or an attempt at "lipstick diplomacy."
While the term "lipstick diplomacy" has been used to describe North Korea's strategy of using attractive women to improve its international image, it is important to note that the country has a history of strict regulations on women's dress and appearance. Under Kim Jong-un's leadership, North Korea has banned red lipstick, which is seen as a representation of capitalist decadence and moral decay. The government promotes a conservative and modest aesthetic, and women are expected to conform to standardized appearance rules, including those governing hair length and style.
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Kim Jong-un's 'army of beauties'
Lipstick diplomacy refers to North Korea's use of attractive female performers as a propaganda tool to manipulate its image to the outside world. In 2018, Kim Jong-un sent an 'army of beauties' to the Winter Olympics in South Korea as part of a charm offensive as relations between North and South Korea thawed. The group was made up of 230 young North Korean women, mostly students, selected from elite universities and upper-class families for their loyalty to the party, their musical talents, and their beauty. They were required to be at least 5 feet 3 inches tall and to be in their late teens or early 20s.
The 'army of beauties' is just one example of North Korea's use of lipstick diplomacy. The country is also known for its state-run overseas restaurants, which are staffed by young North Korean waitresses who sing and dance in nightly shows. In addition, there is the Moranbong band, an all-female music group whose members are handpicked by Kim Jong-un.
The perception that the press fawned over the 'army of beauties' created a social media backlash, with some accusing the media of normalising North Korea and ignoring the suffering of its people. However, others argued that the 'army of beauties' showed good intentions towards the North and could help boost ticket sales for the Winter Olympics.
The term 'lipstick diplomacy' was coined by Suki Kim, an author and North Korea expert, who wrote about the phenomenon in the New York Times. She criticised the way that the outside world, and particularly South Korea, embraced these displays of state-promulgated sexism.
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International cultural diplomacy
Lipstick diplomacy is a term that has been used to refer to North Korea's use of young, attractive women to represent their country at international events. This term was notably used in 2018 when North Korea sent 230 carefully selected women, deemed pretty by the state, to accompany their 22 athletes to the Olympics in Pyeongchang. This was not the first time North Korea had deployed such a strategy, with a similar group of women, known as Kim Jong-un's "army of beauties", having previously travelled to South Korea in 2002, 2003, and 2005.
The use of physical appearance, fashion, and beauty products to defy the regime and incite a revolution in North Korea is also explored in an article by Lexy Lebsack. Lebsack highlights how beauty is seen as a form of resistance and a way to fuel a revolution in the world's longest-running communist dynasty. The article focuses on the story of Danbi, a 27-year-old woman who now lives in South Korea but once faced torture for smuggling beauty products into North Korea. These products, including lipstick, were in high demand despite not having specific names, with Danbi receiving thousands of orders per day.
While the term "lipstick diplomacy" has been specifically applied to North Korea's tactics, similar discussions around appearance and diplomacy can be found in other contexts. For instance, an article on Camouflage and Lipstick: Russia's New Diplomats discusses the changes in the Russian diplomatic service during the war in Ukraine and its drift towards the militarization of diplomacy. It mentions how students from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) have been involved in supporting Russian soldiers and spreading propaganda.
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Russian diplomats and militarization
Lipstick diplomacy refers to the use of attractive women to represent a country in international relations. This strategy has been employed by North Korea, sending an "army of beauties" to the Olympics and other international sporting events.
Russia has a long history of diplomatic expulsions, with over 1500 Soviet officials expelled from various countries between 1946 and 1991. Most of these were intelligence officers operating under diplomatic cover. During the Cold War, countries around the world regularly accused the Soviet Union of political manipulation, coups, and interfering in internal affairs.
In recent years, Russia has faced diplomatic expulsions from various countries due to its involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian War. In 2018, following the Novichok poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal, over 150 Russian diplomats were expelled by various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and several European Union states. Russia responded by claiming that these actions would further complicate communications and lead to retaliation.
In 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine resulted in an unprecedented reaction against Russian diplomats, with over 200 expelled within days of the disclosure of the Bucha massacre. This number continued to grow, with around 600 diplomats expelled from Russia by January 2023. The operation of Russian embassies has become increasingly difficult due to problems with bank account access, flights, visas, and downsizing of staff.
Several countries have also taken steps to limit the number of Russian diplomats or reduce the level of diplomatic relations. For example, in September 2022, Montenegro expelled six Russian diplomats, leading Russia to close its consulate in Podgorica. In December 2022, diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Russia were downgraded, and Estonia and Latvia followed suit in early 2023. Other countries, including Norway, Germany, Iceland, Finland, Romania, and Moldova, have also expelled Russian diplomats or reduced embassy staff.
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Lipstick as a symbol of resistance
Lipstick, especially red lipstick, has been a symbol of resistance, defiance, and protest against societal norms and expectations throughout history. During World War II, it became a symbol of hope and defiance against the oppressive Nazi regime, with women in the resistance wearing red lipstick as a form of protest and to signal their solidarity with the cause. Similarly, the feminist movement in the 1960s and 1970s embraced red lipstick as a symbol of empowerment and self-expression, with feminist icons like Gloria Steinem and Angela Davis sporting bold red lips, challenging beauty standards and societal expectations of women.
The use of red lipstick as a form of resistance can be traced back to ancient civilizations like Egypt and Mesopotamia. Cleopatra, the iconic Egyptian queen, was known for her striking red lips, created from crushed beetles and ants. In more recent times, red lipstick has continued to be a symbol of protest and defiance. In 2018, women and men in Nicaragua painted their lips red and uploaded their photos to social media to protest against the dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega. Similarly, in 2019, about ten thousand women in Chile took to the streets with black blindfolds and red lips to protest against sexual violence, a demonstration that inspired similar actions in other countries.
The allure of red lipstick lies in its ability to transform a person's appearance and give them a sense of confidence and self-assurance. As a form of self-care, lipstick has helped many individuals stay strong and become more confident. Red lipstick has also been used to challenge societal norms and expectations, with its bold and attention-grabbing presence making it a potent symbol of resistance and self-expression.
The history of lipstick as a symbol of resistance is not without its complexities. While it has been a tool for empowerment and self-expression, lipstick has also played a part in the repression, shame, and marginalization of women in various eras and places. It has been used as a form of sexualization and objectification, and during the First World War, cosmetics were employed as a tool to enforce gender norms in a patriarchal society. Nonetheless, as we continue to challenge societal norms, the bold presence of red lipstick endures as a symbol of resistance, power, and self-expression.
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Frequently asked questions
Lipstick diplomacy is a term used to describe North Korea's strategy of using attractive young women to represent the country. This strategy was used during the 2018 Olympics, where North Korea sent a 230-member cheering squad alongside 22 athletes.
Lipstick diplomacy is a form of propaganda used by the North Korean regime to bolster the cult of personality surrounding the Kim dynasty. It is also a way for North Korea to gain international attention and improve its image on the world stage.
The women selected for lipstick diplomacy are typically chosen based on strict criteria, including height and family background. They are often dressed in traditional Korean garb and perform choreographed routines with flags and fans.
Lipstick diplomacy has been criticized as a display of state-promulgated sexism. It also raises concerns about the potential for North Korea to use the Olympics and other international events as a platform for propaganda and to distract from its human rights abuses.
In addition to the Olympic cheerleading squad, North Korea has also deployed an all-female band called Moranbong, whose members are handpicked by Kim Jong-un. North Korea also operates state-run overseas restaurants staffed by young North Korean waitresses who sing and dance in nightly shows.
