We have a choice. Believe reports from people who say they've escaped, or believe what the NK government say.

Personally, I'd give more weight to western "propaganda" than that from NK. No, we cannot know for sure, but I think it's 99% certain that NK is bloody horrible place to live for the majority of the people.

depends on the way you look at things, how can you miss or desire something you know nothing about? sure from us on the outside looking in they look to have a pretty dire life, but as they are on the inside and can't look out they may be perfectly happy as they don't know any different.

lets face it, our lives in the modern world are hardly idyllic, we work all the hours god sends for faceless corporations that will shaft us without thinking twice about it giving our hard earned in taxes to people who pay themselves huge salaries and totally ignore what the people want or say, not so different from NK after all??

I think even without outside information, living in fear of the secret police, knowing that at any time you might arbitarily be taken to a camp, along with your family, or the fact that your brother/sister/mother/grandfather has died from starvation might mean that you suspect that the propaganda of living in a socialist paradise is somewhat at variance with the truth. Or you might simply live in denial - but the fear remains. Except for the very stupid of course. Suggested basic reading "Gulag Archipelago".

My point was missed... Choose not to believe.
Belief or , believing , rather than ascertaining fact and and knowledge will yield no facts. There is no need to feel that you have to believe one side or the other, the truth is usually the third option.

who can you believe? I know nothing about NK really, and it seems thats the way NK like it, we know what the press and gov say, the same press and gov that swore blind Iraq had WMD.

From those pics NK doesn't look too bad, I wouldn't want to live there! a visit would be interesting, especially if you could sneak away from your 'hosts'

If it's ever shown again, or torrentable, I recommend this documentary/comedy

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qpk0g

It was extremely surreal, but then so's N Korea itself. I didn't go, but a few friends of mine when I was living in China took a trip. The entire visit is stange managed. Young children "spontaneously" pop out of nowhere to dance for you with obviously forced smiles; guards follow you everywhere; people run and hide as they know they'll get into trouble if they chat with you without it being scripted etc. One friend even said the guide told him to try and not ask too many questions as she would get into trouble and was finding it hard to come up with lies to answer with!

Next new NK leader educated in Switzerland , speaks English very well.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/asi...c/10201876.stm


That has to be seen in a positive light methinks. Some of the Swish Ferengi must have rubbed off on him and may well bear a miniscule beacon of Capitalist light...

From what I've read, some would say such a beacon would be the end of his rule. They have to maintain the pressure to stay in power. Could he sacrifice his family's rule to free (and feed) his people a bit? Maybe!

People who run away from a country are normally those who are most unhappy about it. Therefore their opinions or views don't necessarily reflect those of the average citizen.

That would depend on whether most people can leave easily or not. Your logic could have us assume everyone in prison is happy there