North Korea: Soap operas and K-pop could BRING DOWN Kim Jong-un’s rogue regime

North Korea has been using its well-oiled propaganda machine to keep a firm grip on the minds of the citizens.

But Dr Kim suggested the growing popularity of South Korean dramas could affect the power leader Kim Jong-un has over the country.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, he said: “Anything can happen in politics, either global or domestic.

“Something might happen soon because, the thing is, North Korean people like the soap operas and popular music – and even music videos – from South Korea which can reach North Korea through mobile phones.”

Catching the trend, South Korea repeatedly blasted K-pop songs to get under the skin of its trigger-happy neighbour following repeated missile tests threatening the stability of world peace.

Dr Kim added that Pyongyang “punishes dearly” anyone caught with popular dramas or music but in time mass consumption could “mellow” the regime.

He continued: “They like it very much. The North Korean leader knows that and punishes dearly if citizens are found watching them. This may lead eventually to a mellowing of the regime. “

The University of Sheffield professor however warned that families close to Kim Jong-un might seek to clamp down on the unexpected threat to keep the benefits of the Kim regime.

He said: “We should remember it’s not just the Kim family and its associates.

“There is selected number of people, a class, in North Korea who are the core of the regime, who share the benefits of the Kim Jong-un’s regime.”

Recent reports by the Korea Economic Institute of America suggests Pyongyang expanded its propaganda machine to television production, mimicking popular South Korean dramas to win the support of younger generations.

Former Associated Press bureau chief in Pyongyang Jean Lee said the choice to copy foreign dramas was a “deliberate attempt” to gain the loyalty of Millennials like Kim Jong-un.

Ms Lee said: “The emphasis on youth is deliberate. Kim Jong-un is a young man – he was in his mid-20s when he took power and now he’s in his early to mid-30s.

“If he wants to rule for decades to come, he’s got to win the loyalty of that generation.”