Heroic Representation and Personality Cult in Han Sul Ya’s Gaeseon: The Construction of Young Kim Il Sung in Early North Korean Literature

Abstract

This study examines the representation of the young Kim Il Sung as a heroic figure in Han Sul Ya's short story Gaeseon which was published in 1948 and analyzes how such representation contributes to the construction of personality cult discourse in early North Korean literature. This study employs a qualitative descriptive method using close reading and textual analysis. The primary data consist of narrative descriptions, dialogues, and textual passages related to Kim Il Sung's characterization and the settings presented in the short story. The findings reveal that Gaeseon constructs Kim Il Sung's heroic image through various narrative strategies. First, familial narratives, particularly through the character of Mother Changju, establish emotional closeness and legitimacy by presenting Kim Il Sung from the perspective of a close family member. Second, the idealization of Kim Il Sung's physical appearance, intellectual superiority, patriotism, and benevolent personality portrays him as an exemplary and flawless leader. Third, the incorporation of historical settings and biographical details blurs the boundary between fiction and historical reality, thereby strengthening the credibility of the heroic narrative. Finally, the persistent use of symbolic appellations and glorifying representations elevates Kim Il Sung beyond the status of an ordinary political leader and transforms him into a paternal and almost sacred figure. These findings suggest that Gaeseon functions not merely as a literary work intended for aesthetic appreciation, but also as an ideological apparatus that contributed to legitimizing Kim Il Sung's leadership and institutionalizing personality cult discourse during the formative years of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.