focused on the pomp and circumstance of the summit, paying close attention to South Korea’s accouterments of traditional culture.

“The leaders of North and South proceeded toward the ceremonial dais escorted by a traditional honor guard,” the Rodong Shinmun reported. At the forefront, a band “enlivened the mood with lively traditional music.” The coverage also mentioned the “shared bonds of blood” between the two sides.

The glowing praise for the South Korean cultural displays somewhat contrasts with the North’s habitual depictions of South Korea as culturally defunct and excessively Westernized. As renowned North Korea analyst Andrei Lankov has observed, “With all its wealth, South Korea is represented [in the North] as basically a very unhappy place. The reason for this unhappiness is that South Koreans’ national identity, their precious ‘Koreanness,’exposed to colorful action photos and footage of the two leaders.

The day after the summit, Chosun Central TV aired complete footage of the event, from the moment Kim’s limousine rolled into Panmunjom, through the handshakes, procession, conference, ceremonial tree planting and banquet.

The anchor’s narration opened on a euphoric note: “At this historic moment in Panmunjom, a symbol of the long years of strife, suffering, conflict and enmity, all the bitter pain of past confrontations has wafted away on the April breeze.”

Later, over footage of the first ladies conversing, he added that “the banquet proceeded amid an atmosphere overflowing with familial affection.”

In the coming weeks and months, it will bear watching how positively President Moon will be depicted in North Korean media. As the first pro-engagement leader in 10