Pyongyang, North Korea: thousands of North Koreans gather in Kim Il-sung Square to hold a mass rally in support of their new leader, Kim Jong-un. (AP via Guardian)
Like father, like son: Kim Jong Un officially starts looking at things: North Korea’s new leader Kim Jon Un visits the Seoul Ryu Kyong Su 105 Guards Tank Division of the Korean People’s Army in Pyongyang on Jan. 1, 2012. North Korea called on its people to rally behind new leader Kim Jong Un and protect him as “human shields” while working to solve the “burning issue” of food shortages by upholding the policies of his late father, Kim Jong Il. (Reuters via msnbc)
The altered reality of Kim Jong-Il’s Photoshop funeral
As Kim Jong-Il’s funeral convoy moved slowly through the streets lined up by mourners, a view overhead revealed eerily symmetrical crowds lining up the path of the procession. It was a well-orchestrated event for a picture-perfect funeral. But, how picture-perfect exactly was it? (Photos: Kyodo News (left), KNS (right))
“We declare solemnly and confidently that foolish politicians around the world, including the puppet forces in South Korea, that they should not expect any changes from us.”
Hopes for a new era of engagement with North Korea have faded after the country’s powerful defence commission warned the world not to expect a change in policy under its new leader, Kim Jong-un.
The announcement broadcast by the state-run Korean Central News Agency on Friday, effectively dashed hopes that Kim might be ready to engage with South Korea and the wider international community. (source)
Satellites document North Korea’s dark ages. This picture of Earth at night is based on 1994-1995 satellite data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Operational Linescan System, which maps the location of permanent lights on the planet. The borders of North Korea are outlined in white, with Japan off to the right, China to the left and South Korea below. (NASA)
Poll of the day: On the death of Kim Jong-Il and the prospects of future freedoms for a notoriously restricted population. Vote. Share. Leave a comment. (Like this poll? Let us know. We’re thinking about doing daily Quipols as a standing feature.)
This is a great feature.
“One could not preside over a system as cruel as [North Korea’s] without being cruel oneself.”
Madeleine Albright, then the U.S. secretary of state, wrote after meeting Mr. Kim in 2000. (source)
BREAKING NEWS:
North Korea says supreme leader Kim Jong Il has died. More soon. (Watch)
Learning English in North Korea: An English pronunciation board at a primary school in Pyongyang. (FENG LI)
N Korea prepared for ‘holy war’
North Korea’s minister of armed forces has said its military was prepared to wage a “holy war” against South Korea using its nuclear deterrent after what he called Seoul’s attempt to initiate conflict. Minister Kim Yong-chun repeated Pyongyang’s charge on Thursday that the South is preparing to start a war by conducting the live fire drills close to the border of the North. He was quoted by North Korea’s KCNA news agency, which regularly threatens the South, but which had up to now been relatively restrained in its criticism of the miltiary drills. In a show of military might, South Korea started a major land drill in the Pocheon region on Thursday morning, between Seoul and the heavily armed demilitarised zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas. It also continues with naval live fire exercises 100km south of the maritime border with North Korea
Is it me or does North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un look like Chris Griffin from Family Guy?
General Kim is likely N Korea heirYoungest son of ailing supreme leader is promoted to rank of four-star general, signalling he is likely successor.
