They both have a bit in common. They’re both communist Asian states that the US went to war with during the Cold War and did not win. But the messaging regarding the two states is a lot different. DPRK is treated like the worst dictatorship ever, that kills you and your family for even thinking that the Kims are less than gods, whilst also starving. But Vietnam, they say… nothing.
Why isn’t Vietnam demonized like DPRK?
In addition to the points mentioned here, DPRK assisting the Russian SMO (based) didnt help things in the liberal court of public opinion.
Also westerners genuinely believe in great man of history bs and thats why every american knows who the “dictator” of north Korea is but can’t tell you the names of literally anyone else in the country (or even who their state reps are)