The death of Kim Jong-Ill has sent the people of North Korea into a frenzy of mourning, but outside this bizarre dictatorship, the majority of the world is busy contemplating what the almost anonymous 27 year old new ruler will do with his nuclear-armed toy-box. It brings to mind scenes of the HBO series Game of Thrones where, mere hours after being armed with the crown, King Joffrey sets about ordering beheadings as though he’s on the phone to Pizza Hut.
Team America: World Police turned him into an official punchline, but the real terror behind Kim Jong-Ill’s reign is less hilarious. Up to 3.5 million people have perished as a result of famine, with much of the country’s limited resources devoted to maintaining armed forces, including its nuclear program.
A few months ago, Free North Korea Radio apparently reported that two lesbians had been publicly executed due to “being tinged with capitalism”. The government allegedly went on to state that “they were badly influenced by capitalism from Japan and brought corruption of public morals”. According to various reports, the women were captured after it was discovered that they shared a sexual relationship in their house.
Officially, homosexuality is not against the law in North Korea, however there is clearly no acceptance or tolerance. Rather, its mere existence is suppressed. With the media being state controlled, no public mention is ever allowed, and it is apparently on a list of forbidden topics of discussion for anyone. One official government statement did refer to homosexuality, aligning it with capitalist values of the west; “…the DPRK rejects many characteristics of the popular gay culture in the West, which many perceive to embrace consumerism, classism and promiscuity”.
Shin-Sang-ok with his wife, Choi Eun-hee
Despite the rejection of all things western and capitalist, Kim Jong-Ill was apparently a big fan of Hollywood movies, with a reported collection of more 20,000 videos and DVDs. Some favourites included Friday the 13th and Rambo, as well as anything starring Elizabeth Taylor (Suddenly Last Summer…?). In 1978, he ordered the kidnapping of Shin Sang-ok, a South Korean director and Choi Eun-hee, his actress ex-wife with the intention of creating a film industry in his beloved north. They were kept separately in comfortable accommodation at first, however after an attempted escape, they were moved to a prison. Only after being brought to a dinner party did the pair learn of their mutual capture, and they were soon remarried at the suggestion of Kim Jong-Ill.
Eight years and seven films later, the couple escaped to Vienna for a film festival, seeking asylum at the American embassy. Kim Jong-Ill would remain convinced that the US had kidnapped the pair.
In addition to his “filmmaking” pursuits, the crazy dictator also apparently wrote a book, On the Art of the Cinema, though considering he also claimed to have invented the hamburger, the jury will likely remain out on that one.
