11.17.2004
Strife in North Korea?
So begins this article from Der Spiegel (english version).
When the great train explosion occurred in the far northern reaches of the country, Kim Jong Il didn't bother much in the way of condolensces. Instead, the state spent time celebrating the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the army, "Dear Leader", and "joyful dancing". That wouldn't fly in the USA now, would it?
Sounds like a very large, open-ended, lack-of-any-substantive-evidence question to me. If there is merit to it, Kim already knows and the perpetrators would be long-dead as we read this... But. As all good articles are wont to do, the author gives us a little something to indicate all is not well in paradise -- as if hell on earth could ever be mistaken for such. Anti-government slogans on the sides of train cars, epithets on the 'Great Leader's' Kumsusan Mausoleum in Pyongyang, and so on and so on. Folks can only take so much.
When an "attempt to circumvent the defunct public supply system to obtain food [is] considered sabotage and treason," I can't take issue with human nature. Preservation of self and child is primal. The question is, what are those 22.5 million generationally suppressed people going to do about it? They will not do any more than the Iraqis did before the USA, with a solid hand from a few worthy friends, did something about it.
Forget internal revolution in North Korea! Remember Tianamen Square? When some Iraqis did try to do something about Saddam in the early 90's, their heads wound up beneath the treads of Soviet-made T-62 tanks. The PRK is all about a huge, entrenched military, my German friend.
The article recounts several anecdotes, including internal attempts to eradicate the leader. Alas, all have obviously ended in mortal failure, just like those who tried to oust Saddam.
My, that does sound like Saddam. Good read.
The people of North Korea are not as submissive as they appear to be. Unnoticed by the outside world, strong opposition to the regime of dictator Kim Jong Il is beginning to appear.
So begins this article from Der Spiegel (english version).
When the great train explosion occurred in the far northern reaches of the country, Kim Jong Il didn't bother much in the way of condolensces. Instead, the state spent time celebrating the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the army, "Dear Leader", and "joyful dancing". That wouldn't fly in the USA now, would it?
A few hours prior to the tragedy, Kim's special train passed through the Ryongchon train station, returning from a trip to China. Is it possible that this was not an accident, but instead an attempt by opponents of the regime to blow up the dictator and his entourage?
Sounds like a very large, open-ended, lack-of-any-substantive-evidence question to me. If there is merit to it, Kim already knows and the perpetrators would be long-dead as we read this... But. As all good articles are wont to do, the author gives us a little something to indicate all is not well in paradise -- as if hell on earth could ever be mistaken for such. Anti-government slogans on the sides of train cars, epithets on the 'Great Leader's' Kumsusan Mausoleum in Pyongyang, and so on and so on. Folks can only take so much.
When an "attempt to circumvent the defunct public supply system to obtain food [is] considered sabotage and treason," I can't take issue with human nature. Preservation of self and child is primal. The question is, what are those 22.5 million generationally suppressed people going to do about it? They will not do any more than the Iraqis did before the USA, with a solid hand from a few worthy friends, did something about it.
Forget internal revolution in North Korea! Remember Tianamen Square? When some Iraqis did try to do something about Saddam in the early 90's, their heads wound up beneath the treads of Soviet-made T-62 tanks. The PRK is all about a huge, entrenched military, my German friend.
The article recounts several anecdotes, including internal attempts to eradicate the leader. Alas, all have obviously ended in mortal failure, just like those who tried to oust Saddam.
While the North Koreans starved and the country descended ever more deeply into poverty, the younger Kim built at least ten palaces, complete with golf courses, stables and movie theaters. His garages are filled with luxury cars. The CIA estimates the family's wealth at four billion dollars, part of which is deposited in Swiss bank accounts.
My, that does sound like Saddam. Good read.
// posted by HunterByrd @ 3:22 PM 
