INSIDE NORTH KOREA
Introduction
The video ‘Inside North Korea’ is a documentary from VBS TV, and it is precisely what the name suggests. Hosted by Shane Smith, it shows the different aspects of North Korean society as Shane and his team are conducted through a sightseeing bonanza, planned for them by state guides. The video provides a wealth of information on Kim Sung Un’s North Korea, from its cuisine to its subways, the education system to the protégé training program, etc. An added bonus is the festivities in Pyongyang on the 60th birthday of the party.
The video starts with the futile attempts of the VBS Team to fly to Pyongyang from South Korea. Finally, they have to fly to the Chinese city of Sichuan and fly to Pyongyang from there. In Pyongyang, they see the sights and monuments including the U.S.S. Puebto. Nothing furtive is shown, (they go only where they are led), but the camera gives much more exposure to Kim Jong il’s military marches. The humor here lies that the commentator reads a script, which is so sycophantic that it becomes a comedy. Not content with North Korea, the commentator even credits the dictator for saving humanity one time. As the video progresses, it appears as if a great show has been organized for the benefit of VBS, which is of course impossible. Restaurants where every table has food but Shane is the only customer is common. From every wall, the dictator’s visage stares out with a haughty air. This is true from the library where the librarian claims that Kim altered the design of the tables so that their height suits the reader’s posture, to the protégé center where 4-5 years children are first selected and then trained, to be the world’s best in music, painting, etc. by the state. The children’s talents are awesome but are the sacrifice of their childhood worth it? Everyone appears happy and contented, but there seems to be something mechanical about the people. All the people appear to be at the same social and income level. The team finally leaves Pyongyang. The perfection of the North Koreans is indeed admirable but as Shane says “very sad and frightening”. What happens to the autistic kids? Those who are dull and not good at anything? What happens to them?
VBS TV’s message is clear. They want to say that what is shown is not the reality. Like the Titanic Iceberg, this is only the small peak visible. The majority of the people stay in the rural areas who work hard to accumulate this wealth. These people will have stories to tell. The day that they tell their stories, can very well be the day on which the North Korean Titanic will sink.
Conclusion (In my opinion)
I have the view that the people of a country have the final say as to whom they want to choose to rule over them. In my house, my laws will prevail. As long as I do not disturb you, you should not interfere. However, after this video, my thoughts are at turmoil. To keep the analogy going, if I kill my servants by excessive work allocation, then will the “my house, my law” logic prevail? If I stick posters in my property proclaiming that I am God, then my neighbors will know that I am on the way to insanity. Should they still respect my privacy then despite knowing that they live next door to a megalomaniac? Should they knowing the dangers still let me be? It seems to me that the answer has to be no. They too have some duties to the society and being an accessory to murder is a serious crime.
On the other hand, how has Kim Jong brainwashed millions of his citizens into believing his greatness. A few people may have been acting but there is no bitterness on a single face. How can this be possible? I have no idea. However, I know that what Kim is doing is wrong. A person being trained like a performing animal is wrong. However, to be convinced, I have to know something about the rural areas too and the people there. Do they also live ecstatic lives? Does no one in North Korea have a problem with their rulers megalomania? That cannot be but I have to see the truth for myself. One thing I am sure of is that something is wrong somewhere. However, the million-dollar question is where? We urgently need some brilliant logical theories here. Will the intellectuals please step forward?
