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arpeggio
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Kim Jong Il died, meaning?
South Korea will invade North? jkjkjk
I hope they can change into democratic country
South Korea will invade North? jkjkjk
I hope they can change into democratic country
The announcer, wearing black, said he had died of physical and mental over-work.
arpeggio said:South Korea will invade North? jkjkjk
I hope they can change into democratic country
:rofl:Greg Bernhardt said:I wonder how many years of mourning they will observe.
:rofl:Borg said:I hope they finished his pyramid in time.
Greg Bernhardt said:I was in DPRK this past August. They are truly brainwashed on an ideology. That ideology was from Kim Il Sung and he is dead too. It will take a generation or more to change.
What the heck are you talking about?!AlephZero said:There are still plenty of people in the USA brainwashed on an ideology from 1776 - or even from 4004 BC. Don't hold your breath waiting for anything to happen real soon now in NK (or even in the USA).
rootX said::rofl:
Right now, there seems to be a power vacuum. I wonder if his son will manage to get hold of the power or everything will come crashing down tonight
That's not how dictatorships work: Kim was in complete control.pergradus said:Nothing is going to come "crashing down" - they have a strong government in place and I'm sure there are lots of people behind the scenes who no one knows about - the son will be the next figurehead, but probably won't have to do very much.
russ_watters said:That's not how dictatorships work: Kim was in complete control.
KingNothing said:I believe the user you quoted was asserting that perhaps it was not a true dictatorship, but rather administered by a small body of people with one figurehead.
KingNothing said:I believe the user you quoted was asserting that perhaps it was not a true dictatorship, but rather administered by a small body of people with one figurehead.
Proton Soup said:i'm not sure i even believe in the notion of a true dictatorship. a government simply is not going to run unless you've got some competent people working for you to carry out your wishes. and those competent people got to the N-1 positions by being not simply loyal to the regime, but also aggressive and ambitious. if they sense weakness or incompetence, or even personal threat to a position they've worked hard to achieve, then you can get the same kind of emperor stabbery that the Romans knew.
Monique said:Do you think so? There are already reports of cleansing going on, the control of the government on the citizens has tightened. Say something that could threaten the power of Kim Jong Un and you'll disappear, don't expect to live.
South Korea put its armed forces on high alert and said the country was on a crisis footing. Japan's government convened a special security meeting.
North Korea runs a famously tight ship and is adept at putting on a good show. But behind the mask of unity lurk bitter rivalries and tough choices. These are of at least four kinds.
First, personalities. Kim Jong-un's elder half-brother Kim Jong-nam was passed over for the succession. He lives in China, which means he has Beijing's protection.
Second, there are institutional rivalries. Three bureaucracies - the Party (WPK), the military (KPA) and the Cabinet - vie for power, and may not see eye to eye on how to proceed.
...
The succession process could be a source of instability in North Korea
as an older generation is removed from power and replaced with a
younger generation of leaders that is presumably...Meanwhile, a careful balancing act is taking place, as internal positions
and responsibilities are shifted among members of Kim Jong-il’s
inner circle, in an attempt to lay the foundations for a smooth transition
to Kim Jong-un. Additional evidence that a leadership transition
is under way can be drawn from disappearances, accidental deaths,
and removals of prominent North Korean leaders in a system in which
post-holders generally die in office rather than retire.9 Despite these
efforts to strengthen the Kim family’s control over North Korea’s leading
institutions and to provide Kim Jong-un with the political standing
necessary to assume leadership following Kim Jong-il’s death, no one
knows for sure whether the succession will unfold as planned. In the
absence of Kim Jong-il, rivalry for power could erupt among competing
bureaucratic interests. Nonetheless, these seemingly tactical adjustments—
and the swirling rumors behind them—betray uncertainty
about the future, abetted by information flows, systemic injustices
stemming from the lack of economic governance inside North Korea,
and rising public disaffection.
rootX said::rofl:
Right now, there seems to be a power vacuum. I wonder if his son will manage to get hold of the power or everything will come crashing down tonight
I am really eager to see his son coming on the TV and he should have by this time?
As a result of his father’s “eternal” status, Kim Jong-il was not officially the President of North Korea. Although he was Kim Il-sung’s chosen successor, the younger Kim may have been an unpopular choice among the Party faithful. His take-over of the government was a slow and cautious process. It was several years after Kim Il-sung's death before foreign observers were sure that Kim Jong-il truly would become North Korea’s next leader.
Greg Bernhardt said:It is a little different in DPRK because of the religious reverence of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jung Ill. It would be like a Christian stabbing Jesus. This is the point many don't understand and why an invasion or assassination would be disastrous. His natural death was the only way. The level of totalitarianism of DPRK is off the charts, it's nothing like USSR or Cuba.
lisab said:Greg, did you get the impression this cult-like devotion was real? Or are people faking it, to avoid the consequences (e.g., starving to death)?
I assume you had a "handler" with you, but did you get to talk freely with anyone, ever?
Greg Bernhardt said:Despite this brainwash the North Koreans as a people are extremely humble and pleasant. When I was visiting I was told at all times what to do. I could not leave my guides side. He told me who to talk to, what to eat, where to sleep, what to take photos of. However I did get to talk to quite a few people in impromptu settings. They are very curious about me and the world, but nothing will stray them from their brainwash.
Greg Bernhardt said:Certainly there must be a few dissidents here or there, but the majority really do believe everything they are taught. There is no reason for them not to. From birth they are conditioned and never hear an alternate version of anything. Very successful indoctrination. That indoctrination of the Juche philosophy manifests the isolation and paranoia. It's a philosophy of self reliance. One of their favorite mottos is "We have nothing to envy". They believe they are the pure race. The people think South Korea is a hell hole and that the North is a heaven.
It's not as if these people know they are being suppressed or know that it is wrong (besides those in the slave camps perhaps). Through their propaganda they wake up each morning thinking "today is when the US attacks". They delude themselves into thinking the suppression is simply "what needs to be done" in order to defend themselves.
Despite this brainwash the North Koreans as a people are extremely humble and pleasant. When I was visiting I was told at all times what to do. I could not leave my guides side. He told me who to talk to, what to eat, where to sleep, what to take photos of. However I did get to talk to quite a few people in impromptu settings. They are very curious about me and the world, but nothing will stray them from their brainwash. No no way did I try to argue with them, it would be a waste and very very rude. A few times I tried to tell them I was American (i figured out the Korean word) and some of the facial expressions were great, most didn't believe me. Thought I was British.
It was a completely bizarre but fascinating place that is very misunderstood (not to say nothing is wrong).
Here are my public photos if you are interested. I even met with a 4 star General at the DMZ! We talked and he mentioned he wanted peace with the US. haha go figure!
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100229278541028.2548594.26701563&type=1&l=2e56741d9f
rootX said:Isn't that the issue lisab pointed out?
It doesn't take a lot of effort to plan a tour that will only show you the rich/patriotic parts of the country.
Borg said:I hope they finished his pyramid in time.
I forgot about that one. They didn't finish it in time after all. :tongue:MATLABdude said:Actually, I'd heard a while ago that they (in partnership with telecom giant Orascom) has resumed work on the Ryugyong Hotel and had at least finished the exterior cladding:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8306697.stm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryugyong_Hotel#Construction_resumes
Greg Bernhardt said:Here are my public photos if you are interested. I even met with a 4 star General at the DMZ! We talked and he mentioned he wanted peace with the US. haha go figure!
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100229278541028.2548594.26701563&type=1&l=2e56741d9f
Proton Soup said:so did you buy the seal penis liquor?
and about the monk, is he part of the Dear Leader religion?
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...78541028.2548594.26701563&type=3&l=2e56741d9f
Borg said:Awesome pictures, Greg. I'm speechless at the guts that it took to go there.
Greg Bernhardt said:haha yeah, the label said it had 36 kinds of penis. I hope they meant 36 kinds of seal penis! It taste fine, like a funky whiskey. All my aliments were cured, so it was worth it!
The monks was from a Buddhist monastery. Go figure! I think he was the only one there, or at least the only one I saw.
Note to self: buy penis liquor.Greg Bernhardt said:haha yeah, the label said it had 36 kinds of penis. I hope they meant 36 kinds of seal penis! It taste fine, like a funky whiskey. All my aliments were cured, so it was worth it!
The purpose of North Korea's idolization of its leader is to maintain control and obedience among its citizens. By portraying the leader as a god-like figure, the government is able to instill fear and loyalty in its people, making it easier to suppress any dissent or rebellion.
The idolization of the leader affects the citizens' daily lives in a number of ways. It is ingrained in every aspect of society, from education to media to public displays of loyalty. Citizens are expected to constantly praise and worship the leader, and any failure to do so can result in severe punishment.
There is limited evidence that the idolization of the leader has positive effects on the citizens. Some argue that it creates a sense of unity and national identity, and that the leader's guidance and direction can lead to economic and social progress. However, these claims are difficult to verify due to the lack of transparency and independent research in North Korea.
The idolization of the leader can have a negative impact on North Korea's relationship with other nations. The extreme level of propaganda and brainwashing can lead to a distorted view of the outside world, making it difficult for the country to engage in diplomatic relations or negotiations. Additionally, the international community often condemns the human rights abuses and lack of freedom in North Korea, which can further isolate the country.
It is debatable whether the idolization of the leader can ever truly be beneficial for the citizens. While it may create a sense of unity and obedience, it also suppresses individuality and critical thinking. The extreme control and censorship can also lead to a lack of progress and development in the country. Ultimately, the true impact of the idolization of the leader on the citizens is difficult to determine due to the lack of access and information in North Korea.