It's soju, and he smiles in multiple photographs. Kim Jong Il also likes shoes, plastic buckets, and large control panels.
I find these pictures sad. There's a lot of people working like slaves in NK for whom these pictures document the most important day in their lives. Awash in propaganda, many of them probably sincerely believe they're engaged in a noble mission of freedom. Sometimes I wonder if Kim himself believes he's the only think holding it together.
The regime in North Korea seems to have a desperate need to convince others of its legitimacy, unlike, say, that in Myanmar where the junta holds the country in a equally tight grip but seems to shun all outside scrutiny. Whereas any educated person can recognize Kim Jong Il, even Google has only a few photographs of Myanmar's leader.
I just remember a lot of pictures of him looking rather pot-bellied. It probably wasn't the most tasteful remark but you have to wonder about chubby dictators who rule starving countries.
I have no problem whatsoever with untasteful remarks about, among all people, Kim Jong Il. I was only quite surprised how skinny he looked. I also had different memories. Maybe it’s that ugly coat?
I find these pictures sad. There's a lot of people working like slaves in NK for whom these pictures document the most important day in their lives. Awash in propaganda, many of them probably sincerely believe they're engaged in a noble mission of freedom. Sometimes I wonder if Kim himself believes he's the only think holding it together.
The regime in North Korea seems to have a desperate need to convince others of its legitimacy, unlike, say, that in Myanmar where the junta holds the country in a equally tight grip but seems to shun all outside scrutiny. Whereas any educated person can recognize Kim Jong Il, even Google has only a few photographs of Myanmar's leader.
(in case you were wondering: http://1763coventry.com/burmeses/index.php/TOC_-_Leaders_%26...)