Social media is incredibly scary to repressive governments because it is just about impossible to control. Many authoritarian governments even look to incredibly censored North Korea and Eritrea as role models, instead of cautionary tales. Although the US government has announced sanctions against countries that try to block Internet access, international disapproval is unlikely to sway these […]
Tag: north korea
North Korea Video Hi-Lites: Kim Jong-Il’s Only Public Speech, Dear Leader Impersonators
The Dear Leader only gave one public speech during his time as ruler of North Korea, and it wasn’t exactly lengthy. In fact, all he said was “Long Live the Heroic Korean Army,” according to journalist Nate Thayer, who was present at the time. It’s kinda like the King’s Speech, but 80% less touching. Gentleman: […]
Kim Jong Il Invented the Hamburger, and Other DPRK Culinary Highlights
No, the hamburger was not invented in Hamburg. It did not first appear in New Jersey at Louis Lunch.The hamburger in fact first appeared in 2000 at the personal behest of Kim Jong Il, who really wanted top university students to be fed top-quality fast food in-between classes. Eternally enterprising, Kim Jong Il decided in […]
Incredibly Overwrought North Korean Mourning, Rumination on the Future
No one can mourn like a North Korean. At the very least, no one can PRETEND to mourn like a North Korean. In a country where not writhing on the ground overcome with emotional pain over the loss of a political icon may land you in a freezing work-camp, the ability to weep on command […]
YouTube Reacts to Death of Kim Jong Il, as World Mourns Death of Punchline
As Kim Jong Il’s death permeates the public consicouness, expect public displays of exceptional cheesyiness for at least the next month out of North Korea. And public upheaval. Lots of political upheaval. The response of my fellow foreign policy nerds? TAKE TO THE INTERNET, BRETHREN. I am accepting educated guesses (or total guesses) vis a […]