Friendly Father: South Korea bans TikTok hit idolising Kim Jong Un

The impending ban has piqued the interest of South Koreans, many of whom have checked out the music video since the announcement, according to comments they have left on the video. Some commented that the authorities should leave the video accessible “so that more people can enjoy the joke”.

Friendly Father is the latest in a line of pop songs Pyongyang’s propaganda machine has churned out in the past 50 years.

The bright-tempoed, catchy hit describes Mr Kim as “father” and “the Great” – terms previously reserved for North Korea’s first leader, his grandfather Kim Il Sung.

“Let’s sing Kim Jong Un, the great leader/ Let’s brag about Kim Jong Un, our friendly father,” it goes.

Some TikTok users say the tune accompanies them at the gym or while doing homework, while others like its nostalgic style, saying it reminds them of older Spanish and French pop music.

The two Koreas have been divided since an armistice ended the Korean War in 1953.

They did not sign a peace treaty and therefore are technically still at war.

Violations of Seoul’s National Security Act can lead to up to seven years in jail, although enforcement of the law has eased recently. There have also been calls to review the law on free speech grounds.

Additional reporting by Jake Kwon in Seoul