of ‘Totalitarian Dictatorship’. North Korea is led by a single party called the Korean Worker’s Party. It is a socialist state, with a state owned economy, entirely Government planned. The North Korean media is one of the most controlled media in the world. In a strict violation to the freedom of expression, the Korean people cannot criticize the government, leader and its policies-making such statements can land them up in a jail and consignment to one of North Korea-“re-education” camps. It is the Govt. which distributes all the radio and television sets, citizens are prohibited to alter them to make it possible to receive broadcasts from other nations, doing so carries draconian penalties. The country is ranked 2nd to last on the World Press Freedom Index. The civil organizations go all gaga over the government and literally worship the cult personalities of Kim Jong-il, the current ruler [see picture] and his late papa, King ll-sung. {Both the Kim's [i.e. the father-son duo] have often been compared to the likes of Hitler and are known through out the world for their dictatorial style} Usually, North Korean citizens are not allowed to freely travel or go abroad. Their lives can be compared to a student facing a dreaded detention, like a bird living in a steel cage or like a person grounded for life. Quite in stark contrast to North Korea is our very own India, where we get to see acrimonious verbal wars between the Centre and the Opposition on various issues of national importance. Our media has been sort of a mobilizer of public opinion and has been a platform for the aam admi to voice their concerns and problems which is the exact opposite of the role of North Korean media. After drawing comparisons between the two nations, I feel truly privileged and lucky to be an Indian, and not a North Korean citizen!![With opinions as expressed by Tejas Singh]
6 comments:
I also want to add the fact that the North korean govt. doesn't allow foreign goods to be sold freely in the country but their leaders only travel in the fleets of Mercs and limousines.
I actually pity the people of North Korea...i think there are two categories of people living there-the First one, have been brainwashed to obey the leader, the second one-are forced to obey and are living under the constant fear of Kim
North Koreas recent nuke tests proved to be a fussi!! although they claimed it was a success. If I am not wrong, A.Q. Khan was accused of selling nuke tech to North Korea. And also the no-mans land between north and south Korea is said to be the scariest place on earth!
Although I do not wish to negate any views expressed here, there are a few things I'd like to state here which are of importance in this discussion.
Having represented North Korea at an MUN,I've researched about the country, and even though in many ways we're better off than NK, there are still many aspects of our country which befool us into thinking that we're born into a privileged state. North Koreans, even orphans, are taken care of by the government, and not the way you'd expect an Indian orphan to suffer... Or rather, even an orphan in the US faces lots of problems and torture. NK is one country where even though the citizens' freedom is repressed, their living conditions, education, nutrition etc. is better than many countries, and DEFINITELY better than India.
Just becoz we've been born to good families, we don't see the realities of Indian hardships.. believe me, you'd happily give away your right to visit other countries or criticise ur leaders to lead a happy life.
More in class! Kaafi type kar liya.
Aakriti you may be right in respect of the things which you were able to see or read or what NK wants the world to see. I saw a documentary on Nat Geo on NK and what they did was like they presented the world with few areas decorated and maintained like we do around India Gate, Parliament etc. like smooth roads, newly painted buildings and all that. But what lies behind those painted buildings is like Lalgarh in India or such places. So they are giving a rosy picture of NK but inside out, they are much hollow.
Otherwise, why in the world would they accept food from South Korea, their No. 1 enemy few years back in case of a famine.
@Aakriti: Talking about media casting an influence on our opinion ...Quoting a line i read from an article on wall street journal online two days back
-"The 16-year-old government of dictator Kim Jong Il for years defied outsiders' predictions of collapse, surviving amid debilitating poverty, hunger and external hostility" You might have read somewhere that by virtue of being a socialist state North Korea takes care of its citizens-as far as food security is concerned, but this article presents a totally opposing picture to the readers...And as far as our country is concerned, India is taking mammoth steps such as the Right to Education Bill and Food Security Bill...agreed that both of them have problems as far as practical applicability is concerned...but such steps ensure a better future & opportunity for inclusive growth
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