The crisis. The enigma. The controversy.
I have bee looking for this all over the place and here they are. Before you look at these videos, make sure to read One Free Korea where extensive analysis is made regarding the food and economic situation. This, in my opinion, is a must see.
Edit: I think there is a part missing, so I will watch for that.
Part 1:
Part 2:
I think Joshua said he attended this. I wonder where he is at…
A big thanks to Saku for the videos because they have been entertaining. Please note a lot of the footage may be similar because clips are available on songonblogspot and are in other propaganda time postings here on DPRK Forum. It took me a while to learn how to upload these things, but it is smooth sailing now. At any rate, enjoy the video, and I will post more as I upload more to Google.
Update: This video was removed from Google video because of… get this… a copyright violation. What a huge irony.
Sphere: Related ContentYet another report regarding Kim Jong Il giving a declaration has presented itself, and anything regarding that has me skeptical. According to Bloomberg:
April 16 (Bloomberg) — North Korea will submit a list of its nuclear programs and materials by the end of this month, the Hankook Ilbo newspaper reported, citing an unidentified South Korean government official.
Hm, really? I will believe it when I see it. So far, all the promises for a declaration have all been for naught for a really long time, and if the DPRK does finally give some declaration, I would be very, very surprised. On the other hand, for a more detailed version of how the talks progressed to maybe, just maybe to get to this point can be found on OFK. After reading that, it seemed pretty clear to me Kim will still get what he wants in the end. Kim knows damn well nothing happened for nothing delivered in December, so why should he worry about delivering a declaration by the end of this month? What changed in the agreement to change his mind and be a good boy? In my opinion, nothing at all. The entire process has been a disaster just like the times before.
The U.S. will start talks on removing North Korea from its list of state sponsors of terrorism once the communist nation provides the declaration, the Seoul-based newspaper cited the official as saying. The steps are part of an agreement reached by the two countries in talks in Singapore last week, it said.
Emphasis mine. Now North Korea giving a declaration at the end of this month is one thing, but as Joshua has pointed out, Why should North Korea get deleted from the list of terror when Kim practices terror? As the post suggested:
[...]
So have you heard that Kim Jong Il will celebrate his removal from the list of state sponsors of terrorism … by firing off more missiles?
U.S. military authorities have been closely watching the North Korean arm since spotting signs of lively activity at a missile launch site in North Korea, CNN reported Friday. Quoting two U.S. military officers, the channel reported satellite photos recently spotted personnel, vehicles and materials moving toward the Rodong missile base in Shinori, north of Pyongyang. Rodong-1 missiles with a range of 1,300 km capable of striking most of the Japanese islands are reportedly deployed at the Shinori site. [Chosun Ilbo]
I’m at a loss for words. North Korea throws an extortionate fit, even threatens to turn Seoul to “ashes” – all of which is clearly calculated to intimidate South Korean voters just before an election – and we reward them by declaring them not to be sponsors of terror. (To be precise, the North Koreans aren’t sponsoring terrorism, they’re practicing terrorism. There should be a separate list for nations that engage in this kind of direct, retail terrorism. Naturally, our State Department overlooked that).
[...]
While I doubt North Korea is stupid enough to launch missiles and restart the Korean War, the rhetoric has been stepped up. While we never know what Kim is thinking and what he will do next, his temper tantrums seem to get what he wants in the end by ruffling his feathers. So we eventually give in. What is next in this saga of diplomacy? It is hard to say, but to remove North Korea from the list of terrorists is insane. Many will disagree with me on this, but that is how I feel. Kim Jong Il has played the international community once again.
Now for the big IF:
The six nations may meet for talks in the middle of next month if the declaration is provided and negotiations on North Korea’s removal from the U.S. list begin, Hankook Ilbo reported.
The question is, what if Kim decides not to declare his nukes? Is he willing to give them up to shore his crumbling regime, major food shortage and looming disassociation by his own people so they can survive? They are turning to marketization despite his efforts to curtail it. Maybe he needs to think about all that, but it is very doubtful he will. Time will tell what he does next, and I will be interested to see where this goes next.
Here is something I have been looking for quite a while, and as usual, hapo finds all the good stuff. Therefore, big hat tip to him for finding it. This is very unreal, and is in three parts. I cannot say if to enjoy it or not because it is very head scratching.
Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
…and the trip of Kim Il Sung to Poland in 1956:
Chris Hill discusses the state of the six party talks. From the Department of State, there are two somewhat fresh transcripts. The first is in regards to the incomplete declaration, and in my opinion, not a lot has been done on this front as for what the consequences are for failure of not giving that declaration. What can be done as punishment is unclear to me as well, but in all, Kim Jong Il is dragging his feet, and he most likely also knows not a lot can be done other than suspending goodies to which Kim Jong Il claims is our fault. I seriously doubt Kim Jong Il is going to give the declaration anytime soon because of the stepping up of the increased tensions between the ROK and the DPRK, but this is of Kim Jong Il’s doing. North Korea does not see it this way, but that is no surprise.
In particular we need to know what the plutonium situation is, but also we know that DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) was engaged in procurements of things for uranium enrichment, so we need to know that status. We also need to know what has gone on with any foreign nuclear cooperation. And we need to know that, it is, first of all, what went on and secondly that it stopped and thirdly that it won’t be done again.
I’ve said many times that we’re very concerned about time. We’re very concerned that we really need this wrapped up by the end of March,and here it is already after the end of March. So we’ll have to see whether we can hear anything new from the DPRK on this in the next few days.
and the second transcript:
Obviously these are sorts of comments that are just inappropriate for discussing relations with other states. I don’t think there’s anything people in the ROK and the U.S. need to be too concerned about, I think we should probably not overreact to comments that really have no basis and fact, and seem to be entirely propagandistic and aimed at domestic audiences whoever they are.
If you’ve been to in the States lately you’ll know it’s quite a political season. We have several political candidates running for the president. Absolutely nobody has suggested they want this problem. Nobody has suggested they are interested in giving the DPRK a better deal, than the one we put on the table. So I would say, from the DPRK’s point of view, it’s time to settle now.
We need to get that declaration as Ambassador Chun said, we really have lost a lot of time in this process and we need to go forward.
I must say as difficult as the declaration is, I think the next phase would be more even difficult as we try to get North Korea to finally do away with its nuclear ambitions, and so we have a lot of work to do and frankly speaking, we’re really at the point where we need this declaration very soon.
The question is how soon? Also, what will happen if they do not give the declaration? Yes, it would be very, very nice to see North Korea finally cooperate, but has that happened yet? Hell no, it has been that way since the beginning. The first phase of the Yongbyon has not been completed yet, and Kim is taking all the time he can not to finish it, yet wants more aid to move forward.
In the meantime, Lee appears to want to stop the spigot of unchecked/unconditional aid, and as a result, Kim Jong Il has stepped up the rhetoric. I mean he has sent MiG’s tested some missiles and the KCNA has threatened action. If they follow through with the threat is another thing, and I doubt it will happen because if the MiG’s or whatever else is sent across the DMZ, all hell will break loose and the world does not need to continue the Korean War. I am very sure Kim Jong Il is very aware of this. Another thing is, it would also be suicide in my opinion, because how can he start a war without sufficient fuel, food and no support of the Soviet Union since it has been gone since 1991? Furthermore, will China step in the fray the second time around? I do not even want to contemplate it. Oh, and do not forget the proximity of Seoul.
I think this is just a war of words, and it seems the ROK is not very worried about it. However, as a continuation of the Korean War is unlikely (not impossible), it does not mean Kim is in the position of being cooperative. So, what is proposed to move this forward?
Maybe I am interested in the wrong country. Maybe I should simply give it up and not worry about it. There are so many issues facing my own country, perhaps I should worry what happens at home. However, I cannot help but to want to try and look through the dark looking glass and try to understand the silhouette of the gears turning in the feeble attempt to understand. As a person who never even stepped foot into Korea or any other part of Asia for that matter, why the interest?
Perhaps it is the human condition. Perhaps it is the taboo of trying to understand something I am not supposed to understand. Perhaps I am just weird and need to find a new hobby. Maybe I need to find an answer to these things before trying to understand something I have very little understanding of on the other side of the world. Something draws me to this mysterious place, and the succession and future possibilities are one of them:
The DailyNK has an interesting write-up about the possible succession by high level defector Hwang Jang Yop. He predicts there is no light at the end of the tunnel for the evaporation of the Kim Jong Il regime, he does predict people will not take another successor seriously. I am sure he is correct the regime will stick around for as long as possible. How long it can sustain itself is anybody’s guess, and there are many theories to suggest when the regime will topple. As for the state, that may take even longer as suggested by Projecting Pyongyang (h/t: DPRK Studies) and Marcus Noland’s Korea After Kim Jong Il (I will not go into these in detail now, since this is a subject I am still learning). There are many, many other publications, articles and other things discussing the possibilities as well as you may very well know. While it is fascinating to speculate how North Korea may go, nobody really knows how things will develop and finally be history. I am going to guess even Kim Jong Il does not really know the ultimate fate of his so-called paradise, but he may be the only one with all the variables known such as the inner workings of his government, the deals made with China (and others), the nature of his economy and what he plans to do next. I am going to venture a guess not even the closest of his inner circle of cronies may not have the entire picture. With this in mind, if close insiders may not have all the information (I am going to guess each department has information, but for the sake of keeping the people in line, not one person other than Kim know everything), if the inner circle, ordinary North Koreans and even the elite do not know everything that is going on, outsiders know even less. Not even less, almost nothing with 100% certainty.
Continue reading ‘The Path To Collapse: Hwang Jang Yop on succession’
Sphere: Related ContentYes, it is still another very slow day in North Korea, so it is about time you imperialist jerks saw the REAL story behind the greatness of Kim Jong Il and why the Great Leader chose him to be the successor. This is in seven parts. No, it is not that long, so you have more than enough time to watch and learn. That’s right, you have been brainwashed! This is the truth!
Part1:
Part 2:
Continue reading ‘Propaganda Time: Official suceession tales and hero worship’
Sphere: Related ContentSEOUL (AFP) — Cash-strapped North Korea has cut down on its main festivities to mark founding leader Kim Il-Sung’s birthday to help save money in the impoverished Communist country, news reports said Sunday.
Choson Sinbo, a pro-Pyongyang newspaper for ethnic Koreans in Japan, reported on its online edition that North Korea had turned its annual “April Spring Friendship Art Festival” into an biennial event instead.
The festival, usually around Kim’s birthday of April 15, has served as Pyongyang’s most important fete to strengthen a personality cult around Kim’s family in North Korea.
Kim’s birthday is still the biggest holiday in North Korea despite his death in 1994. His son Kim Jong-Il has since ruled the country with a similarly iron-fisted approach.
The celebration, which began in 1982 to celebrate Kim’s 70th birthday, usually invites foreign artists — with Pyongyang footing the bill for travel expenses and accommodation.
But Seoul’s Yonhap news agency, citing an unnamed North Korean defector who formerly worked for the foreign and cultural sectors, said worsening economic hardships had led Pyongyang to curtail the usually lavish celebration and most likely mean no international performers this year.
Emphasis mine. For North Korea to cut down on these types of events, it must be in dire straits. Also, does this save money on the gifts the leaders show love for the people? I think so. It does not matter. This country is falling apart, and there is little that can be done about it.
In the meantime, the #2 man is making some deals with some countries in Africa, and maybe they can send them some extra cash.
Here is an interesting documentary about Adolf Hitler. I do not know who made the documentary, but that is not important. What this discussed was the psychological profile of Adolf Hitler. Apparently, this was never done before, but some shocking predictions were made based on his behavior and past. These were accurate from the documentary’s point of view.
One of the people discussing this profile is a man named Jerrold M. Post. Apparently, he never saw the analysis much later.
Now, what is interesting, and what I would like to know is, are there profiles of Kim Jong Il, Kim Il sung or the other cronies inside the regime? I am sure if there is such a thing, it is not for public consumption, but it would be very interesting to see something like that.
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Just when you thought North Korea could not be any crazier than it is already, a man by the name of Shane Smith changes everything when he and his friend travels to Kim’s paradise. When I first saw the link posted to these videos, I figured this would be like any other documentary, but it is not. Shane Smith takes his tour one step further and at serious risk.
Welcome to the Vice Guide to North Korea. As we all know, getting into North Korea is not easy, and this guy describes how he got into the secret state via Shenyang. He tried other ways to get in by legitimate means, but goes the “back way” when talking to defectors. Then the madness starts from the first moment the money is slapped on the table and visas are granted. It is interesting to note he does not go into details on how he bribed the consulate to get in, but somehow he was granted. I would be kind of interested to know how he did it, but for all intents and purposes, I would understand if he did not want to tell others how he did it because as the videos get posted, he does not make many friends on his trip because he tends to break the rules. What kind of rules does he break? Quite a few, well, according to North Korea. Amazingly, he takes a lot of it with a grain of salt which pisses off his guards even more as the series progresses.
Continue reading ‘The Vice Guide to North Korea: A review (update 2)’
Sphere: Related Content(Hat tip: Hapo) I have written in the past how Kim Jong Il and Kim Il sung came into power, and to this day, cannot find the story of the double rainbow that appeared in the sky. If anybody knows where official sources are, that would be fantastic. Anyway, hapo found a strange video about Kim Jong Il’s birth as it is officially and from history. Granted, little is known about his early life or his father’s life for that matter, some things are known. So the question to readers is, what is the real story behind Kim Jong Il’s early life? We may never know, but is interesting to speculate all the same.
Sphere: Related ContentI never heard of this event or the Down-with-Imperialism Union, and this event seems pretty important in the DPRK. Here is some info on the Naenara web site. I do not understand much of what the speakers are saying, but if somebody has some idea, that would be great. Here are the videos (quite long!). Now for a question for the readers, is this just as important as the Mass Games or less so? Some insight would be good. Thanks in advance.
Part 1:
Part 2:
Continue reading ‘Propaganda Time: Down-with-Imperialism Union event’
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DPRK leader Kim Jong Il celebrated his 66th birthday filled with celebrations, unending adoration (they better do it), and got well wishes from other strong arm leaders such as Raul Castro and Putin. No doubt he is having a grand time in one of his many palaces, but the people in his impoverished state may not live to see another birthday.
The Associated Press has more.
North Korea marked the 66th birthday of leader Kim Jong Il on Saturday with an appeal for its impoverished people to unite around the strongman amid a deadlock in negotiations over the country’s nuclear weapons programs.
The main Rodong Sinmun newspaper ran a lengthy editorial full of praises for Kim for strengthening the North’s “political and military force” — an apparent reference to the country’s first nuclear test in 2006.
“We have to unite and unite again around the leadership, upholding the slogan ‘Let’s safeguard the revolutionary leadership led by Comrade Kim Jong Il with our lives!’” the paper said, according to the North’s Korean Central News Agency.
Kim’s birthday is one of the most celebrated holidays in North Korea, along with the birthday of his late father and national founder Kim Il Sung.
The North’s newspaper made no mention of the nuclear standoff.
Probably no mention of the starving masses, the crumbling economy, the thousands perishing in labor camps, and the diversion of aid poured across the divide either. It is a happy day for Kim Jong Il, why ruin it? However, the regime did not miss a beat when complaining about others not holding their end of the deal despite Pyongyang’s unwillingness to keep their end of the bargain (a typical tactic):
“U.S. hard-line conservative forces have been provoking us and have deliberately aggravated the tension on the Korean peninsula with reckless military modernization plans behind the scenes of the six-party talks,” he told a ceremony marking the birthday.
[...]
The North Korean newspaper vowed to strengthen the military under Kim Jong Il’s “songun” or “military-first” policy and rebuild the economy.
How can Kim rebuild the economy with a huge percentage going to the military? Yes, great plan Great General. What other plans do you have in store? No matter, people appear to love the idea:
North Korean TV, seen in Seoul, showed thousands of people in suits and colorful traditional dresses dancing at Pyongyang’s main square to songs lauding the leader.
If they do not, the consequences would be pretty serious. However, I did read somewhere on Kim’s birthday, people get a little extra, but if it is only for the elite, I am not sure.
Update: The DailyNK has more.
Chosun Central TV also announced that the authorities are preparing many other presents for citizens. Pyongyang Botonggang Footwear Factory was reported to be producing extra winter boots, children’s shoes, and ladies high heel shoes as gifts for people.
In provinces, food factories are producing cookies and candies, which will be handed out for children under middle school age, Chosun Central TV reported.
Whatever the case, have a happy birthday Kim Jong Il, because under your rule, many under your so-called care do not see another one.
Sphere: Related ContentJust when I thought things could not be any sillier, Kim Jong Il is getting what he wants while Washington and Seoul wait for him to cooperate. It is the same story, and in my opinion, will not change any time soon. According to Herald Tribune, Seoul wants the DPRK to reverse denials of HEU. Good luck and “no-duh”:
It will take time to move the deadlocked North Korea nuclear talks forward because Pyongyang must reverse its previous denial that it sought to enrich uranium, South Korea’s top nuclear envoy said Wednesday.
[...]
The North agreed in October to disable its nuclear facilities and provide a declaration of its nuclear programs by the end of 2007. However, the process has come to a standstill because the U.S. says the North has yet to provide a complete list.
Did Kim Jong Il already claim the declaration got lost in the mail? I do not think he will send it again. Now it seems they are still waiting, and waiting they will continue to do so, because Kim is known to wait and wait until the cows come home. When will they get tough? I do not see that happening any time soon either because they are still using kid gloves. The Unification Ministry sticking around is a darn good indicator.
“The issue of declaration is a difficult one in its essence,” South Korean nuclear envoy Chun Yung-woo said at a news conference marking the first anniversary of the landmark deal.
For Pyongyang to account for its nuclear programs, “it would take time and efforts as (the North) has to change its previous claims,” he said.
Yawn. Again, good luck on that one.
The North has publicly denied the existence of a uranium enrichment program — a key sticking point in the declaration issue. The U.S. allegation of the uranium drive — in addition to the country’s known plutonium-based bomb program — sparked the latest nuclear row in late 2002.
But Chun said it is not impossible to resolve the declaration issue.
It is not impossible, but nearly impossible considering there is no way to know 100% where everything is, and cooperation from the regime is less than stellar.
The North has accused the U.S of failing to honor its promise to remove Pyongyang from U.S. terrorism and trade blacklists while complaining of delays in receiving aid.
See, Kim wants his way despite him giving nothing in return. No declaration, no oversight on the aid and continued BS.
North Korea has so far received about a quarter of promised aid due mainly to technical complications and a lack of sufficient facilities there to store oil.
Is that the International community’s problem Kim Jong Il’s infrastructure is collapsed? If he cannot store the oil, why complain? Should we send storage too? As usual, Kim Jong Il is playing the idiot. Problem is, Kim is far from an idiot, and is making everybody else look like one, and that is his goal. He seems to be succeeding.
“Though it is being delayed, energy aid will be provided to the North to ensure the North would not worry” about it, Chun said.
Oh, how sweet. He still gets goodies. What a surprise and another “no-duh” moment. Perhaps a plan B needs to be discussed since the current course is not working at all? Kim Jong Il is not going to change his ways. Doing the same thing to expect another result is pretty dumb.
I think I will go to sleep now.
Sphere: Related ContentI would like to apologize for the lack of posts, but today, I will like to post this documentary from the BBC. Enjoy!
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