I have just finished reading Barbara Demicks' fascinating book on North Korea. Ms Demicks is a journalist and has been to North Korea herself, but the book is not based on her own visit. Foreign guests are shown a carefully planned backdrop of perfection on rigidly guided tours of the capital Pyongyang, and Demicks wanted to get behind that backdrop. She chose to set the story in the northern city of Chongjin, and based the story on the lives of a number of North Korean defectors.
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ShareFactual about cruel world
The North Korea described is a tightly controlled planned economy where everything is provided by the paternal leader: housing, jobs, education, healthcare and food. Early on, North Koreans get just that, but as time goes on, they get less and less of everything.
The description of the order in which the population starves to death is cruel but factual: first the young children, then the elderly. The good people, who cannot imagine stealing or betraying their neighbours, die before those who are prepared to push the boundaries of morality.
Laughter gets stuck in your throat
The management of the country is sometimes so bizarre that you can hardly contain your laughter, but when you realise how hard it affects the population, the laughter gets stuck in your throat. Information from other countries is blocked, and any protests are effectively kept in check with snitching systems and harsh punishments for those who express their disapproval.
Still, one can't help but wonder how long the system will last. The occasional student seems to be able to secretly tune into South Korean TV channels, and one gets the feeling that the population is beginning to lose faith that things will one day get better ...
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Seniors Speculate, 3 M says:
It is strange that such states can survive in this day and age, given the world and the information that seems to be flowing through everywhere. Almost all socialist countries have collapsed and, fortunately, dictatorships are well on their way. But poor people who have to live like this all their lives and even some who know nothing else. It's awful. Just hope that it collapses. The book seems to be very interesting. 3 M
29 May 2013 - 16:32
The travel dream says:
If you want to read more about this mythical country, I recommend two books:
All monsters must die. Group trip to North Korea - a report with Magnus Bärtås and Fredrik Ekman . Two stories in one. The book is about South Korea's most famous film star couple who are kidnapped to North Korea. And it is also about the authors' experience of a group trip to the country.
Escape from Camp 14 with Blaine Harden. A young man manages to escape from a concentration camp. The book tells the story of his experiences there. Among other things, he betrays his mum.
Then you can read my experience from my trip to North Korea last autumn.
http://www.resedrommen.se
29 May 2013 - 16:57
Veiken says:
I shudder when I read your post. I have a feeling that the great leader is a God and is turning into a fanatical religion. Dangerous, dangerous! ..... Poor poor people! 🙁
29 May 2013 - 18:49
BP says:
What surprises me about North Korea is that so few people drop out. What I mean is, for example, when North Korean athletes participate in the Olympics or similar sporting events, they should take the opportunity to escape the misery and drop out. But that rarely happens.
I wonder if they are so indoctrinated that they don't see reality anymore.
29 May 2013 - 19:56
Marina says:
It's another book that's on my to-read list, I just haven't got round to it yet...
30 May 2013 - 5:47
admin says:
3M, it's amazing that this regime has lasted so long! But of course, sooner or later it will collapse...
The travel dream, but oh how exciting! I REALLY have to go in and read! Thanks also for the book tips! It sounds very interesting, will try to look for those books!
Veiken, well some things are indeed reminiscent of religion, and according to this book they elevated the leader to a God-like figure, more so than was done in Communist China.
BP, consider that the athletes may still have their families in North Korea. Sometimes the regime has also punished the families of defectors by sending them to punishment camps... to discourage others from defecting....
Marina, well worth reading!
30 May 2013 - 7:54
admin says:
Travel dream, now I have read your report from North Korea! Very interesting! Reminded very much of what I expected, just that it would be "directed" and very controlled what you can see. How many days were you there? I understand that it is not the time to argue when you are there but just to like the situation. But what was the feeling like? Did you feel in any way unsafe or unsure of how to behave?
30 May 2013 - 8:33
The travel dream says:
I was in North Korea for a week. That's how long tourists travelling in groups are allowed to stay. Our Swedish guide had told us not to say anything negative or question any of the leaders. Everyone knows the rules and adapts accordingly. I did not experience any uncertainty among us in the group. As a tourist, I felt safe in the sense that there is no risk of being robbed or anything like that.
Having been there, I understand better why the people look up to the leaders. They basically don't know anything else and if someone does something like try to escape or the family suffers for two generations.
It was a very special journey that I don't want to undo.
30 May 2013 - 9:16
Catherine says:
Now I'm back to your lovely blog. An interesting book tip.
30 May 2013 - 11:00
admin says:
The travel dream, that sounds like a really interesting trip! North Korea really resembles nothing else. For the sake of the population, you hope that the system collapses, but I guess it will be a long and tough development even after a collapse...
Katarina, how nice to see you here again! Of course I'll check in and add your new blog!
30 May 2013 - 11:27
pilla says:
Have also read it! Really awesome book!
31 May 2013 - 9:58
Ladies Abroad says:
Really good book. Read it myself in Langkawi last winter.
31 May 2013 - 22:29
Joanna says:
I have also just read it. A very good reportage book that left you with so many thoughts.
01 June 2013 - 21:23
Anna Granström says:
Thanks for the tip!
12 June 2013 - 9:01