A couple of days ago footage of Kim Jong-un limping onto a stage emerged. It quickly came through to news sites, who snapped it up as the latest bizarre offering from a country social media editors have grown to love.
Chances are the first thing most people associate with North Korea isn’t it’s horrific human rights record but it’s comical and portly leader, Kim Jong-un.
North Korea has become a national circus for us in the West, and a gold-mine for bizarre news stories. In recent months we’ve seen cheerleaders sent as a peace gesture; Kim on a submarine; Kim inspecting the troops; Kim’s number two wishing the Queen happy birthday; and the north Korean government labelling Seth Rogan a “gangsta filmmaker” and his and James Franco’s film The Interview “a wanton act of terror”.
The result is a country shadowed by a farcical cut-out. It’s easy to push the darker elements of the regime to the back of our minds because - look! - Kim’s haircut is now mandatory for all medical students.
The accuracy of the claims later came into question, but it was too late. We were already laughing. It proved even further that the West's perception of the regime has become inseparable to its leader, when it should be focused on the realities of Kim Jong-Un’s brutal dictatorship.
In February a UN Commission of Inquiry on human rights in the country stated that “the gravity, scale and nature of these violations reveal a state that does not have any parallel in the contemporary world”.
Michael Kirby, who led the inquiry, compared the brutality of the regime to that of the Nazis. But in early March a video emerged of Jong-un laughing, surrounded by female pilots. He resembled a caricature of a dictator, and one that could be easily dismissed.
It’s estimated there are between 80,000-120,000 political prisoners detained in four camps across North Korea, with thousands more imprisoned elsewhere. Witnesses testified to horrendous beatings, starvation and abuse. Children killed by dogs set upon their by guards too indoctrinated to care, mothers forced to drown their babies because of a belief in racial purity, and rape used as a torture emerged from the inquiry. Generations of a family can disappear into these camps, never to be heard from.
North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom
North Korea: Inside the Hermit Kingdom
-
1/104 North Korea
This picture taken from North Korean paper Rodong Sinmun on 14 October 2014 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un during an inspection tour of a newly-built housing complex in Pyongyang. North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un has finally resurfaced with the help of a walking stick after an unexplained and prolonged absence that fuelled rampant speculation about his health and even rumours of a coup in the nuclear-armed state
-
2/104 North Korea
Kim at the newly-built housing complex in Pyongyang
AFP/Getty Images
-
3/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un during an inspection tour of a newly-built housing complex in Pyongyang
-
4/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un visits the Wisong Scientists Residential District in Pyongyang in pictures released by Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the ruling Workers Party
EPA
-
5/104 North Korea
Kim at the Wisong Scientists Residential District
EPA
-
6/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un inspects a tactical rocket firing drill by the Korean People's Army Strategic Force
-
7/104 North Korea
Launching of a tactical rocket during a firing drill by the Korean People's Army Strategic Force
-
8/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un talks to military officials during a tactical rocket firing drill of the North's Strategic Force
-
9/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un poses with soldiers after he inspected a tactical rocket firing drill by the Korean People's Army Strategic Force
-
10/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un along the North Korean soldiers
-
11/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un inspects the Hwa Islet defence detachment off the east coast of North Korea
-
12/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un speaks to navy commanders ahead of a swimming drill in North Korea
-
13/104 North Korea
Kim Jong Un gives field guidance to the remodelling site of the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang
-
14/104 North Korea
Kim Jong Un gives advise at the construction site of the Wisong Scientists Street in Pyongyang
-
15/104 North Korea
A view of the Wisong Scientists Street under construction in Pyongyang. North Korean newspaper said that Kim was greatly pleased about the eye-opening speed of construction, which he referred to as "Korea-speed," that has been created through a mass competition in all areas of the construction site
-
16/104 North Korea
The North Korean paper confirmed that Kim Jong-un called for the North Korean Navy Unit 167 soldiers to devote their wisdom and enthusiasm to rounding off the combat preparations
-
17/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un aboard a submarine as he is visiting the North Korean Navy Unit 167 stationed on the east coast of North Korea
-
18/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un inspects the submarine No. 748 of Korean People's Army (KPA) naval unit 167 led 7th regiment
-
19/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un inside a submarine as he visits the North Korean Navy Unit 167 stationed on the east coast of North Korea
-
20/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un inspects the submarine No. 748 of Korean People's Army (KPA) naval unit 167 led 7th regiment
-
21/104 North Korea
Kim Jong Un gives field guidance during his inspection of the Korean People's Army (KPA) Naval Unit 167
-
22/104 North Korea
Kim Jong Un gives field guidance during his inspection of the Korean People's Army (KPA) Naval Unit 167
-
23/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un (C) poses with seamen as he inspects Korean People's Army (KPA) naval unit 167 led 7th regiment
-
24/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un advises the Korean People's Army (KPA) Unit 863 led 7th regiment
-
25/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un talks with people from the Korean People's Army (KPA) Unit 863 led 7th regiment
-
26/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un inspects the Ryo islet defence detachment standing guard over a forward post off the east coast of North Korea
-
27/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un talks with people as he inspects the Ryo islet defence detachment standing guard over a forward post off the east coast of North Korea
-
28/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un gestures as he inspects the Ryo islet defence detachment standing guard over a forward post off the east coast of North Korea
-
29/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un poses with soldiers for photo as he inspects the Ryo islet defence detachment standing guard over a forward post off the east coast of North Korea
-
30/104 North Korea
Kim Jong Un gives field guidance to the Hydro-meteorological Service in Pyongyang
-
31/104 North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visiting the Hydro-meteorological Service in Pyongyang
EPA
-
32/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un visiting the Jangchon Vegetable Co-op Farm in Sadong District, Pyongyang. Kim said that the farm turned into a vegetable production base for the citizens of the capital city under the wise guidance of former leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il
-
33/104 North Korea
Kim Jong Un gives field guidance to the Jangchon Vegetable Co-op Farm in the Sadong District of Pyongyang
-
34/104 North Korea
Kim Jong Un visits Mangyongdae Revolutionary School on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the founding of the Korean Children's Union (KCU)
-
35/104 North Korea
Kim Jong Un visits Mangyongdae Revolutionary School on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the founding of the Korean Children's Union (KCU)
-
36/104 North Korea
A young girl shoots an arrow at a picture of President Barack Obama during an event to mark International Children's Day at Pyongyang September 15 Nursery in Pyongyang
-
37/104 North Korea
Children sit with a picture of South Korean President Park Geun-hye and President Barack Obama while participating in a game during an event to mark International Children's Day at Pyongyang September 15 Nursery in Pyongyang
-
38/104 North Korea
Children participate in a game during an event to mark International Children's Day at Pyongyang September 15 Nursery in Pyongyang
-
39/104 North Korea
Children carrying balls run in a game during an International Children's Day event at Pyongyang September 15 Nursery in Pyongyang
-
40/104 North Korea
Boys run with stuffed bears on their backs during game on the occasion of International Children's Day at Pyongyang September 15 Nursery in Pyongyang
-
41/104 North Korea
Kim Jong Un smiles as children eat during his visit to the Pyongyang Orphanage on International Children's Day
-
42/104 North Korea
Kim Jong Un smiles as he watches a child play during his visit to the Pyongyang Orphanage on International Children's Day
-
43/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un visits Pyongyang's Ssuk Island as he unveiled a plan to build a science and technology hall on the island during the visit
-
44/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un touring a construction site for a rest center for scientists
-
45/104 North Korea
Kim Jong Un visits the construction site of apartment buildings for faculty members of Kim Chaek University of Technology in Pyongyang
-
46/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un touring a liquor factory in North Pyongan Province
-
47/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un inspects the machine plant managed by Ho Chol Yong
-
48/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un along with his wife Ri Sol-ju (3-R) touring a hospital specialized in the treatment of soldiers in North Korea
-
49/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un inspects the machine plant managed by Ho Chol Yong
-
50/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un learns to fly an airplane at the North Korean Air Force unit 447
-
51/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un watches a football match
-
52/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un shares a joke with members of a long-range artillery unit at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Mr Kim carried out a series of visits to military installations and chaired a meeting of senior figures in the armed forces, state media said, amid global unease over a possible nuclear test.
AFP
-
53/104 North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju watch a performance by the Moranbong Band at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang
-
54/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un and former basketball star Dennis Rodman watch the friendly match between North Korea and an aging NBA 'All-stars' team
Reuters
-
55/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un smiling broadly along with other officials during his visit to a youth camping site in Wonsan on the southeastern coast in North Korea
EPA
-
56/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un looks at children as he visits a baby home and orphanage in Pyongyang
AFP
-
57/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un visiting a baby home and orphanage in Pyongyang
AFP
-
58/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un (C) talks to staff in an orphanage in Pyongyang
EPA
-
59/104 North Korea
Kim Jong Un applauds during the second day session of the 8th Conference of Ideological Officials of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK)
-
60/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un gives an address during the eighth conference of the ideological officials of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang
EPA/Rodong Sinmun
-
61/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un reacts to participants of the 8th conference of the ideological officials of the Workers Party of Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang
-
62/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un waves during an inspection of the Korean People's Army Unit 323 honoured with the title of O Jung-hup-led 7th Regiment in Pyongyang
-
63/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un provides field guidance to the November 2 Factory of the Korean People's Army
-
64/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un inspects the construction site of the January 8 fishery station of the Korean People's Army (KPA) at undisclosed place in North Korea
-
65/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un visits the November 2 Factory at an unknown place in North Korea, a food manufacturer for the North Korean soldiers
-
66/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un inspects an electronics factory in Pyongyang
-
67/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un walks as he inspects one of the factories in Pyongyang
-
68/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un looks at the products of the electronics factory in Pyongyang
-
69/104 North Korea
Kim Jong Un speaks and gestures during a trip to give field guidance to the Pyongyang Weak-current Apparatus Factory
-
70/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-un laughs as he tours the electronics factory in Pyongyang
-
71/104 North Korea
Kim Jong Un visits the Songdowon International Children's Camp now being remodelled in Pyongyang
-
72/104 North Korea
Kim Jong Un speaks as he visits the Songdowon International Children's Camp in Pyongyang
-
73/104 North Korea
Kim Jong-Un points at remodeled building of the Songdowon International Children's Camp in Kangwon Province
-
74/104 North Korea
Voters line up to cast their ballots to elect deputies to the 13th Supreme People's Assembly in Pyongyang, North Korea
AP
-
75/104 North Korea
Voters queue to cast their ballots to elect deputies to the 13th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) in Pyongyang. North Korea holds nation-wide elections to pick deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly for a new five-year term
Reuters
-
76/104 North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits the Kim Il Sung University of Politics to take part in the election of a deputy to the Supreme People's Assembly at sub-constituency No. 43 of Constituency No. 105 together with service personnel of the KPA
Reuters
-
77/104 North Korea
People dance to celebrate as the nation holds elections for deputies to the 13th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) in Pyongyang
Reuters
-
78/104 North Korea
A woman receives a ballot to vote to elect deputies to the 13th Supreme People's Assembly in Pyongyang, North Korea. North Korean voters went to polling stations to elect a new national legislature, although they don't get to choose who to vote for since there is only one candidate per district.
AP
-
79/104 North Korea
People gather to watch a performer sing near an election site in the Central District near Taedong Gate, in Pyongyang, North Korea. North Korean voters went to polling stations to elect a new national legislature, although they don't get to choose who to vote for since there is only one candidate per district
AP
-
80/104 North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inside the August 25 Fisheries Station under KPA 313 Unit
Reuters
-
81/104 North Korea
Kim Jong un laughs as he inspects the August 25 Fisheries Station under KPA 313 Unit
Reuters
-
82/104 North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrives in the August 25 Fisheries Station under KPA 313 Unit
Reuters
-
83/104 North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits the bier of Kim Kuk Thae, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and expressed deep condolences over his death in Pyongyang
Getty Images
-
84/104 North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects the Masik Pass Hotel, ski service and lodging buildings and rest areas in the skiing courses of the Masik Pass Ski Resort in Kangwon province
Getty Images
-
85/104 North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inside a room in the Masik Pass Hotel, ski service and lodging buildings and rest areas in the skiing courses of the Masik Pass Ski Resort in Kangwon province
Getty Images
-
86/104 North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting the Masik Pass Hotel, ski service and lodging buildings and rest areas in the skiing courses of the Masik Pass Ski Resort in Kangwon province
Getty Images
-
87/104 North Korea
North Koreans gather together on the steps of Mansu Hill to lay flowers at the base of statues of the late leaders, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, in Pyongyang
AP
-
88/104 North Korea
North Korean soldiers gathered at Kumsusan memorial palace in support of their leader Kim Jong-Un in Pyongyang
Getty Images
-
89/104 North Korea
North Korean People's Army soldiers take part in a rally to swear allegiance to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ahead of the second death anniversary of former leader Kim Jong Il at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang
Reuters
-
90/104 North Korea
North Korean soldiers gathered at Kumsusan memorial palace in support of their leader Kim Jong-Un in Pyongyang
Getty Images
-
91/104 North Korea
North Korea soldiers stand guard on the banks of the Yalu River which separates the North Korean town of Sinuiju from the Chinese border town of Dandong
-
92/104 North Korea
China has lost its key North Korean interlocutor with the purging of Kim Jong Un's uncle, but analysts say the young leader's tightening grip on power may be welcomed by Beijing, which prizes stability in its wayward nuclear-armed ally
Getty Images
-
93/104 North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un applauds during the second meeting of security personnel of the Korean People's Army
Reuters
-
94/104 North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un waves during a performance by the State Merited Chorus
Reuters
-
95/104 North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches a performance by the State Merited Chorus
Reuters
-
96/104 North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il (centre) touring the construction site of the Munsu Swimming Complex in Pyongyang, North Korea back in September
EPA
-
97/104 North Korea
Citizens welcome the military parade of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards and a mass rally which started at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang
Reuters
-
98/104 North Korea
North Korean athletes wave their national flag and trophies during a military parade at Kim Il Sung Square to mark the 65th anniversary of the country's founding in Pyongyang
AP
-
99/104 North Korea
Tractors pull artillery through Kim Il Sung Square during a military parade to mark the 65th anniversary of the country's founding in Pyongyang, North Korea
Reuters
-
100/104 North Korea
North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un attends a parade of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards and a mass rally in Pyongyang in celebration of the 65th anniversary of North Korea
Reuters
-
101/104 North Korea
A parade of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards and a mass rally in Pyongyang in celebration of the 65th anniversary of North Korea
Reuters
-
102/104 North Korea
A parade of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards and a mass rally in Pyongyang September in celebration of the 65th anniversary of North Korea
Reuters
-
103/104 North Korea
A parade of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards and a mass rally in Pyongyang in celebration of the 65th anniversary of North Korea
Reuters
-
104/104 North Korea
A parade of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards and a mass rally in Pyongyang in celebration of the 65th anniversary of North Korea
Reuters
Outside the camps, there are widespread food shortages - the government itself acknowledges 27 per cent of all babies are born stunted through malnutrition, yet refuses relief organisations access. Food is prioritised for those deemed “useful” at the expense of “expendable” groups. Military spending is prioritised, with the north conducting three military tests between 2006 and 2013.
Freedom of thought and movement are non-existent, with abduction a realistic worry - the inquiry estimated nearly 200,000 people (and children) were taken from neighbouring countries. North Koreans who do leave for China are often forcibly returned.
It’s a golden age for information, but also for misinformation. The infantile rumours can run away with themselves, collecting an authority on the web which is hard to ever fully dispel. It creates a pleasant chimera, highlighting the ridiculous at the expense of the horrendous. It’s easier to laugh at something (and more enjoyable too) than consider the implications behind it.
The latest clip of Jung-un limping is especially instructive. His grandfather and father both guarded their image carefully, seeking to constantly to best present themselves - why is the latest Kim not following their traditions? Experts suggest Jong-un may be nothing more than a figurehead, allowed to remain only as a justification for the regime’s continuation while his father’s lackeys enjoy their power.
Whoever is in charge, we need to stop laughing. Even if Jong-un isn’t pulling the strings, we are allowing ourselves to be puppets amused by a horrendous regime whose brutality we cannot even begin to comprehend.
Reuse content