Media frames on urban greening in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Abstract

Urban greening policies have been established and implemented to improve the living conditions for urban dwellers in the process of urbanization. This research examines urban greening policies in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Media content analysis is applied to identify and interpret frames on urban greening. Articles about urban green spaces published from the DPRK newspaper Rodong Shinmun from 1959 to 2018 were analyzed with an ecosystem service approach. The articles presented three frames on urban greening policies; diagnostic, prognostic and motivational. The diagnostic frame of the media identified the values and functions of urban green spaces with an ecosystem service approach. Our findings reveal that edible trees in urban areas were highlighted as provisioning services; disaster control and environmental protection, as regulating and supporting services; and recreation and landscape, as cultural services. The prognostic frame proposed a strategic planning system for urban greening through integration between the forest and urban sectors. The motivational frame of the media encouraged people's participation in a nation-wide mass movement for urban greening that links responsibility and patriotism. Therefore, in the DPRK, media frames provide us with insights of urban greening policies; (1) emerging new concepts of urban forests as spaces for creating sustainable conditions in metropolitan areas, (2) integrating the forest and urban sectors, and (3) diversifying stakeholders including urban communities as policy target group.