Korean Dictionary
How to say "Propaganda" in Korean
“Propaganda” in Korean is 선전 (pronounced "seonjeon").
선전
seonjeon
Usage & Context
Propaganda is biased or misleading information used to promote a political cause. The division between North and South Korea makes propaganda a historically significant media topic.
Example Sentence
전쟁 중에는 선전 활동이 활발히 이루어진다.
Propaganda activities are intense during wartime.
How to use 선전 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Propaganda” is 선전, romanized as seonjeon.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 선전.
Pronunciation Guide
선 (seon) sounds like 'sun' in 'sunny'. 전 (jeon) is like 'jeon' in 'jeopardy' (with 'eo' like 'uh' in 'butter'). The 'j' sound is softer than in English.
More Example Sentences
Critiquing a film's underlying message.
그 영화는 특정 이념을 선전하는 내용이었다.
That movie contained content promoting a specific ideology.
Discussing inter-Korean relations and political messaging.
북한은 대남 선전을 계속하고 있다.
North Korea continues its propaganda against South Korea.
Explaining government communication efforts (can be neutral or negative).
정부는 정책의 필요성을 선전하기 위해 노력했다.
The government tried to publicize/promote the necessity of the policy.
Cultural Context
'선전' (seonjeon) carries a strong historical weight in Korea, particularly due to the ongoing division of the peninsula. North Korean propaganda (대남 선전, propaganda against South Korea) is a constant topic in South Korean media and education. While it can sometimes mean 'publicity' or 'promotion' in a neutral sense, it often implies a biased or manipulative message, especially in political contexts.
Editorial note
We review entries like 선전 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
선전 활동
propaganda activities
선전하다
to propagandize, to promote
대남 선전
propaganda against South Korea
Related Expressions
선동
seondong
agitation, incitement
홍보
hongbo
public relations, publicity (more neutral)
정보전
jeongbojeon
information warfare
세뇌
swenoe
brainwashing
More Media & Journalism Words
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