So a friend on Facebook just happened to mention he now reads the DPRK (North Korea)’s official news agency website for casual enjoyment via the following link:
I tried the same thing from my computer in Gwangju, South Korea and instead of the dramatic propaganda I was expecting I was directed to the following page:
AAARgh! Apparently it is surprisingly simple to access this from the US and other parts of the world, but not in the South. I am so frustrated and curious to see what the heck it says. My friend says it is so worth it and even sent over an excerpt from a recent post:
“The army and people of the DPRK defending the destiny of the country and the nation and socialism and opening a great heyday of prosperity unprecedented in the history spanning 5,000 years demonstrated the dignity of the nation and the strong national power.”
Anyone out there able to access this site? Would love to hear what you find. Please feel free to post them in comments to this post.
American journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling were finally pardoned yesterday by DPRK’s Kim Jong-il thanks to the efforts of former US President Bill Clinton. Hoping this leads to more efforts to bring DPRK back to multi-party denuclearization talks soon. Read more…
So a typical evening at home ends with me on the internet watching online videos about North Korea. I am strangely fascinated by everything from the propaganda videos to legitimate documentaries about to South Korea’s reclusive, and *unapologetically* nuclear neighbor to the north. Over the next few weeks, I will be posting some of real gems of these videos that keep me up late at night.
Now mind you before I came to ROK, I was seriously considering a visit there. While it is not easy, it is possible and there are tours that can be arranged by going through China. Now, however, with all the recent tension between Washington DC and Pyongyang, I fear even as a tourist, my fate would go the way of the recently sentenced American journalists, Lisa Ling and Euna Lee (see previous posts) for any accidental stepping out of line. Needless to say, I am now mildly petrified of even considering a trip there, hence my online obsession that I am now sharing with you.
The following video, apparently details a recent crackdown on men whose hairstyles are not in accordance with a socialist lifestyle. Photos, names and locations are named to shame the men and tips are given to show the acceptable hairstyles that should be worn. It’s kind of hilarious until you realize DPRK seriously thinks long hair shows a serious lapse in behavior judgement??
I bet you’ve always wanted a mousepad or trucker hat to show off your appreciation for all things North Korean. Right? Well thanks to the Korean Friendship Association you can buy anything from buttons, ringer tees and tote bags sporting your favorite North Korean propaganda images through Cafepress.com. Now mind you I am not sure who the target audience is but this article poses some pretty good questions about the legality of Cafepress.com’s facilitating the sale of products from North Korea. Check out the article and let me know what you think.
Just found out Current TV journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee have been sentenced to 12 years of hard labor in North Korea for hostile acts. Secretary Clinton calls the accusations against them “baseless” and “without foundation” and even analysts were predicting a maximum of 10 years for each.
What I am wondering is where is Al Gore in all of this? As co-founder of Current TV, you would think he would have been more present from the get go. Fortunately, according to the Korea Times, his participation is not being ruled out. Lets hope he intervenes and add some much needed visiblity to this unfortunate episode. Check out the New York Times article which addresses the increasing tensions between the US and North Korea.
Check out this piece from the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC on the attempts at covering the Tienamen Square comemoration and the trial of Laura Ling and Euna Lee in North Korea.
This piece really seems to put both issues that just happen to coincide with each other in great perspective.
In my strange fascination with North Korea, I came accross this article from the L A Times that a North Korean defector who was part of the NK’s equivalent of the CIA will be making a film about the isolated and secretive regime. He hopes to bring it to the US where he feels it may be better received than in South Korea.
More on North Korea and my quest to get a visa to travel there before leaving Gwangju. I know. “Eek!!
What are you thinking?”is what you are saying. Well, stay tuned!
American journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling were finally pardoned yesterday by DPRK’s Kim Jong-il thanks to the efforts of former US President Bill Clinton. Hoping this leads to more efforts to bring DPRK back to multi-party denuclearization talks soon. 
I bet you’ve always wanted a mousepad or trucker hat to show off your appreciation for all things North Korean. Right? Well thanks to the Korean Friendship Association you can buy anything from buttons, ringer tees and tote bags sporting your favorite North Korean propaganda images through 
Check out photos from my first few photos taken in Gwangju