And we think we have it tough...

[TrueTiger]

I was reading a news article today "horrible whats happening in North Korea"...

North Koreans must abide by a rule that at this period of time the country celebrates the death of Kim Jong IL the father of Kim Jong Un....

the rule is you must not laugh for 11 days ...the dictator can destroy your life if you laugh or cry....unbelievable...

 

[innsaneink]

Thats pretty serious shit.....

 

[paul wright]

I was reading a news article today "horrible whats happening in North Korea"...

North Koreans must abide by a rule that at this period of time the country celebrates the death of Kim Jong IL the father of Kim Jong Un....

the rule is you must not laugh for 11 days ...the dictator can destroy your life if you laugh or cry....unbelievable...

North Korea is the most backward and isolated country in the world bar none.The dictator in charge has even had members of his family executed on frivolous charges and the dictatorship/leadership has been 3 generations of the same family.
North Koreans are not allowed out of their country and they are told that they live in the best country in the world.Many don't have electricity and all media is state controlled as is the internet for the small percentage of the heirarchy that have it.

 

[stryker 69]

I spent time with a Korean girl many moons ago, who claimed she was from the North country.
Personality of a wet sock, so probably true.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I'd love to go there one day.

Places like North Korea, Turkmenistan and Mongolia are rarified places. They don't quite fit in the modern world. Even taking into account cultural differences the world is a pretty hom0genous place now.

Just finished watching a Michael Palin documentary on North Korea. Quite clear that they put their best foot forward for their guests and put a show on, but there is some amazing landscapes there and it would be interesting to mingle with them.

 

[BZN]

I'd love to go there one day.

Places like North Korea, Turkmenistan and Mongolia are rarified places. They don't quite fit in the modern world. Even taking into account cultural differences the world is a pretty hom0genous place now.

Just finished watching a Michael Palin documentary on North Korea. Quite clear that they put their best foot forward for their guests and put a show on, but there is some amazing landscapes there and it would be interesting to mingle with them.

I watched the Michael Palin in North Korea doco also CB.
I wouldn't go there even if you paid me. To scary a place for me.
Nearly everything he said and did was being checked by various security.
Only positive was it would be nearly impossible to be run over by a car, as there are so few even in the cities.

 

[Cobarcats]

Years ago when serving overseas and I was emotionally affected by seeing children scavenge through rubbish tips for food and saw other stressful things that sent me over the edge a bit, after a lot of counselling and medications which is ongoing I agreed with my my doc to control what I can control, and by that I mean keeping my own nest clean and tidy. Australia still has an unacceptable rate of domestic violence, racism, alcohol and drug abuse and other social and anti-social behaviours. I donate what I can to charity and I make sure I'm the best man I can be to those who I come in contact with. A lot of Australians worry about other countries (which is admirable) and don't recognise problems at home. Some don't even know their neighbours name or if they struggling? R U OK programs are good in principle but useless if don't embrace it. So if your reading this and feel like you or someone you know is struggling then please reach out and be a good listener. This post isn't aimed at anyone's posts as they are all very good, just thought I'd share this with you with good intentions.

 

[TrueTiger]

I'd love to go there one day.

Places like North Korea, Turkmenistan and Mongolia are rarified places. They don't quite fit in the modern world. Even taking into account cultural differences the world is a pretty hom0genous place now.

Just finished watching a Michael Palin documentary on North Korea. Quite clear that they put their best foot forward for their guests and put a show on, but there is some amazing landscapes there and it would be interesting to mingle with them.

Hopefully you may get the chance CB....I did read another article on world news that NTH and STH Korea have ended the WAR of the two countries and have signed a type of treaty that could finally unite the two countries again..
Interestingly,many families were divided back when the Korean war was fought,in the 1950s I think and generations of families were left in the NTH and others in the Sth that havent known each other,tradgic state of affairs...but now maybe they can be re-united as one after so many years...Gods work for humanity to unite them again..

 

[rustycage]

They'll never unify. Are you kidding?

 

[DGilly]

I have a strong feeling a lot of what we hear about NK is incredibly exaggerated. A bit like what they were saying about Russia during the cold war. Don't reply with your "how dare you's"

I once heard a North Korean saying America is more strict in terms of policing what you say and how you think than it was over there

 

[paul wright]

I'd love to go there one day.

Places like North Korea, Turkmenistan and Mongolia are rarified places. They don't quite fit in the modern world. Even taking into account cultural differences the world is a pretty hom0genous place now.

Just finished watching a Michael Palin documentary on North Korea. Quite clear that they put their best foot forward for their guests and put a show on, but there is some amazing landscapes there and it would be interesting to mingle with them.

Hopefully you may get the chance CB....I did read another article on world news that NTH and STH Korea have ended the WAR of the two countries and have signed a type of treaty that could finally unite the two countries again..
Interestingly,many families were divided back when the Korean war was fought,in the 1950s I think and generations of families were left in the NTH and others in the Sth that havent known each other,tradgic state of affairs...but now maybe they can be re-united as one after so many years...Gods work for humanity to unite them again..

There is no peace treaty between South and North Korea as it was only an "armistice" that was agreed to in 1953.Nth Korea has stated this year that no peace treaty will be signed until the USA stops its "hostility".

 

[Geo]

I don’t think we have it tough..

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I'd love to go there one day.

Places like North Korea, Turkmenistan and Mongolia are rarified places. They don't quite fit in the modern world. Even taking into account cultural differences the world is a pretty hom0genous place now.

Just finished watching a Michael Palin documentary on North Korea. Quite clear that they put their best foot forward for their guests and put a show on, but there is some amazing landscapes there and it would be interesting to mingle with them.

I watched the Michael Palin in North Korea doco also CB.
I wouldn't go there even if you paid me. To scary a place for me.
Nearly everything he said and did was being checked by various security.
Only positive was it would be nearly impossible to be run over by a car, as there are so few even in the cities.

Yes, I am aware that would be the case. Plenty of people visit North Korea without issue. Seems to me as long as you're not American you won't have many problems.

It wouldn't be nearly as dangerous as like trying to travel to Syria (in its current state.)

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I'd love to go there one day.

Places like North Korea, Turkmenistan and Mongolia are rarified places. They don't quite fit in the modern world. Even taking into account cultural differences the world is a pretty hom0genous place now.

Just finished watching a Michael Palin documentary on North Korea. Quite clear that they put their best foot forward for their guests and put a show on, but there is some amazing landscapes there and it would be interesting to mingle with them.

Hopefully you may get the chance CB....I did read another article on world news that NTH and STH Korea have ended the WAR of the two countries and have signed a type of treaty that could finally unite the two countries again..
Interestingly,many families were divided back when the Korean war was fought,in the 1950s I think and generations of families were left in the NTH and others in the Sth that havent known each other,tradgic state of affairs...but now maybe they can be re-united as one after so many years...Gods work for humanity to unite them again..

I don't think they'll reunify, at least not in the foreseeable future.

 

[rihannafan1]

Barbara Demick - Nothing to Envy.

This book is an amazing read on North Korea. Either the West exaggerates the harshness of life in North Korea to give us something to be grateful for or it truly is an awful place to live.

 

[hank37w]

They'll never unify. Are you kidding?

Yeah, I don't think I would be getting my hopes up too high.

 

[Harvey]

Lock yourself in and watch the last 3 years of tigers games. Unlikely you will crack a smile.

Feel sorry for the people living under the despot.

 

[Magpie_Magic]

The repression there is certainly not my cup of tea but I think some is exaggerated.

Nonetheless, I think most of the hardships for the population derives from US sanctions without which their standard of living might be better than their southern counterparts who drowning in debts like us with massive student , housing and other loans and having to deal with class discrimination find solace in squid game to escape their debt binge in pursuit of asset materialism. The South is controlled by a few very powerful families which is inherent in Korean and indeed Japanese social structures.
Probably just as well they are kept poor with sanctions otherwise many in the south perhaps would envy them and may prefer unification under their rule

 

[Tim Sheens]

Years ago when serving overseas and I was emotionally affected by seeing children scavenge through rubbish tips for food and saw other stressful things that sent me over the edge a bit, after a lot of counselling and medications which is ongoing I agreed with my my doc to control what I can control, and by that I mean keeping my own nest clean and tidy. Australia still has an unacceptable rate of domestic violence, racism, alcohol and drug abuse and other social and anti-social behaviours. I donate what I can to charity and I make sure I'm the best man I can be to those who I come in contact with. A lot of Australians worry about other countries (which is admirable) and don't recognise problems at home. Some don't even know their neighbours name or if they struggling? R U OK programs are good in principle but useless if don't embrace it. So if your reading this and feel like you or someone you know is struggling then please reach out and be a good listener. This post isn't aimed at anyone's posts as they are all very good, just thought I'd share this with you with good intentions.

Great post cats. Reads like you are on top of things and I try to live by this ethos each day, teaching our growing son similarly. Even if you don't know someone, a simple hello and a leading question or remark can open avenues.

On holidays in Cairns at the moment and whilst life hasn't been great for our family for several years I/we are still blessed to be able to travel reasonably frequently along with the many thousands that share such fortune to be here this very day.

There is often great juxtaposition in tourism hotspots and Australia is certainly not foreign to this, with the vast north Queensland area a prime example of the haves and have nots.

 

[dazza65]

I have a strong feeling a lot of what we hear about NK is incredibly exaggerated. A bit like what they were saying about Russia during the cold war. Don't reply with your "how dare you's"

I once heard a North Korean saying America is more strict in terms of policing what you say and how you think than it was over there

Seriously…?