A multidisciplinary exploration of North Korea's history, society, and diaspora, and the Korean conflicts through the window of the language practices from the period of Japanese colonization to present. It examines the complex ideological, historical, cultural and international issues embedded in language policies and practices in North Korea and its interactions with South Korea and the international society, especially the United States, China and Russia. The topics include language and identity, the Cold War rhetoric, linguistic nationalism and purism, and linguistic hybridization of North Koreans defectors. The course also covers the cultural aspects of North Korean linguistic life through gendered practices of language and Confucian tradition, and examines popular culture in media such as music, films, and arts.