Growing Animation Industry in North Korea

Growing Animation Industry in North Korea Over the past decade, North Korea has quietly developed an impressive animation industry, exporting programs to Asia, Europe and North America, according to a report on RFA.org.

The success of the North Korean animation industry, as well as the overall film business in general, is partly credited to leader Kim Jong Il’s love of films. The government supports the production of around 60 features per year and encourages international sales through its biannual Pyongyang Film Festival.

THE CLEVER BADGEROne of North Korea’s high-profile productions is the animated series, PORORO THE LITTLE PENGUIN. The character is widely known throughout South Korea. Seoul-based Iconix Ent. produces the show, but outsourced the production of 10 episodes to North Korean state-run SEK studio.

Choi Jong-Il, president of Iconix Ent., said, “North Korea employs animation to deliver various messages to the public, and North Korean animators have been sub-contracted by Japanese and European companies. That is why technically they are strong.”

SEK studio reportedly employs 1,600 animators working with state-of-the-art equipment. Its work includes the $6.5 million-budgeted feature, EMPRESS CHUNG for KOAA.

Iconix trained the North Koreans in 3D animation, Choi said, adding, “They were very quick learners. If they find a way to solve their managerial and communication issues, I see a possibility that they might catch up with South Korean animators within the next decade or so.”

ARABIAN NIGHTSHowever, Iconix had to stop its partnership with SEK, because the line of communication with the company was poor. “To come up with work plans, one needs a steady flow of communication, but communication with North Korea has been very difficult,” Choi said. “Short of traveling there, the best one can do is to communicate via fax, but they’re not very enthusiastic about doing that either. This wouldn’t necessarily be a huge problem, if we could travel to North Korea freely, as we do to other countries.”

In addition, North Korean studio, Samcholli, worked on LAZY CAT DINGA for Hanaro Telecom.

Nelson Shin, founder and president of Seoul-based Akom Prod. Co. Ltd., whose credits include THE SIMPSONS and TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE, is co-producing a 39-episode animated TV series titled, THE PEOPLE OF KOGURYO, which will chronicle the history of the ancient Korean kingdom Koguryo that was founded in 37 BC and lasted until AD 668.

LES MISERABLES “Speaking about North Korean animation generally implies a negative nuance, but that should not at all be the case,” Shin said. “With South and North Korean animators working together, there are no misunderstandings or miscommunication. For three years, South and North Korean animators worked hard together and conversed well. The North Koreans displayed admirable skills and performed competently. Communication was very good and the products of the North Korean animators impressive.”