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[nbraun80]

I forget what the title of it is, but there is a cool documentary on Netflix, where a reporter goes into North Korea as a doctor's assistant. It's crazy how brainwashed the people there are, but after a few generations of being fed the same crap it's understandable. The doctor that she went there with was there to help thousands of cataract patients. He helped like a 1,000 people see again, and every time they took the bandages off their eyes, they immediately thank a poster of Kim Jong Il, and never the doctor.

 

[DiscoJer]

Right, it's all our fault for our commie-hating. Has nothing to do with the volatile fucking nutjob running the place.

Indeed.

If you look at Viet Nam, which is is pretty much the same scenario at North Korea to start with.

Only they pretty much gave up communism in the 80s and it's worked wonders.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_Moi

It's now pretty much what the rest of the world is, a mix of socialism and capitalism

 

[TheKaeptain]

Op, read this if you want to know about life in North Korea

 

[TacticalFox88]

I forget what the title of it is, but there is a cool documentary on Netflix, where a reporter goes into North Korea as a doctor's assistant. It's crazy how brainwashed the people there are, but after a few generations of being fed the same crap it's understandable. The doctor that she went there with was there to help thousands of cataract patients. He helped like a 1,000 people see again, and every time they took the bandages off their eyes, they immediately thank a poster of Kim Jong Il, and never the doctor.

You're thinking of "Inside North Korea From National Geographic.

 

[Zzoram]

This. Keeps the US and their interests from having a state directly bordering China.

Image how pissed China would be if the US "liberated" North Korea and put half their military on the Chinese border.

It would be such an aggressive move to put a significant US military presence on the Chinese border that it might trigger World War 3.

 

[TacticalFox88]

Image how pissed China would be if the US "liberated" North Korea and put half their military on the Chinese border.

And what would they do? Throw a temper tantrum?

 

[Kabuki Quantum Lover]

Op, read this if you want to know about life in North Korea

Reading it, loving it.

 

[Zzoram]

And what would they do? Throw a temper tantrum?

What would the US do if half China's military was on the US/Mexico border?

 

[TheKaeptain]

loul
First, let the world see when the people from NY to LA take control of the USA.

Way to miss the point.

 

[Spokker]

Only they pretty much gave up communism in the 80s and it's worked wonders.

Vietnam still has a long way to go. It's still a mostly unfree nation.

You need to be at least moderately/mostly free for best results, in my opinion.

 

[SensualSeduction]

But i tought China and the US are buddies,with trade an all

 

[nbraun80]

You're thinking of "Inside North Korea From National Geographic.

That's it! Thanks for finding it, it was very interesting especially the little things like North Korea would build Nice modern homes on the border to entice South Koreans to come over, but in reality the homes were empty and just a ploy.

 

[Escape Goat]

But i tought China and the US are buddies,with trade an all

Both uses the other for mututal gain. Not sure thats how buddies work. Maybe a fuck buddy.

 

[AgentChris]

Op, read this if you want to know about life in North Korea

I'll definitely check this out. Thanks Capt

 

[Utako]

North Korea exists to make one man a king.

 

[numble]

And what would they do? Throw a temper tantrum?

They'd be happy because the military expenditures involved in another war for the US would require sinking deeper into debt and more loans from China. They wouldn't be happy with the refugees, though.

 

[Starfish_Oxide]

You're thinking of "Inside North Korea From National Geographic.

Not available in my country.

Spoiler

guess this is how North Koreans feel

 

[mingus]

North Korea has barely any arable land. It's hard to feed your people when you have to import your food and you have almost nothing in exchange.

Also, for anyone who hasn't seen it yet, a guy secretly videotaped life in DPRK and it's filled with people, just like the rest of the world. Makes it a bit less mysterious and sad: http://vimeo.com/19901182

 

[Jenov]

We do hate communists, but the point is that the label doesn't really matter. Parts of China are more free and open than the United States, and that's where growth and prosperity are born.

wat

 

[Niks]

I seriously doubt that the South Korean population wants a reunification with the North at this point... particularly young people. I wonder if that's indeed the case.

 

[Spokker]

North Korea has barely any arable land. It's hard to feed your people when you have to import your food and you have almost nothing in exchange.

The natural endowments of many East Asian nations are not spectacular. This is no excuse for North Korea.

Here's what South Korea did. http://countrystudies.us/south-korea/45.htm

The most significant factor in rapid industrialization was the adoption of an outward-looking strategy in the early 1960s. This strategy was particularly well suited to that time because of South Korea's poor natural resource endowment, low savings rate, and tiny domestic market. The strategy promoted economic growth through labor-intensive manufactured exports, in which South Korea could develop a competitive advantage. Government initiatives played an important role in this process. The inflow of foreign capital was greatly encouraged to supplement the shortage of domestic savings. These efforts enabled South Korea to achieve rapid growth in exports and subsequent increases in income.

wat

Hong Kong. Freest economy on Earth.

"One country, two systems."

 

[Sealda]

North Korea is a country held together by neo-confuciusm,totalitarianism, communism, hyper-nationalism and cult of personality.

Basically, North Koreans thinks that their own "race" are purer and more innocent than the rest of the earths people. They think that the Great and Dear leaders are their protectors, protecting the korean people from the rest of the evil world. They think their race will be abused if they let outsiders (americans) in.

Unlike Japan and Germany in the 30s, Koreans do not think they are BETTER than any other race. Just more pure-hearted. Therefore they have never sought to conquer other people but rather protect themselves from other people.

The koreans think that its better to starve than be morally deprived under american rule.

North Koreans thinks that they are fighting for their own peoples survival. Therefore, they can handle starvation, because they believe they are in the middle of a fight against the outside world who wants to ruin them and use them like the Japanese, Chinese and europeans did.

 

[RiccochetJ]

It's there to keep us all in check. It's a shinning example of how we must strive to become.
Lustrous streets, a god military/ naval fleet and fantastic space program......

Spoiler

I dunno. Scary bloody place from what i'v seen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ6E3cShcVU

I'm watching your link right now. Is it bad that I kinda want to go visit there? I just want to see this in person. It's absolutely fascinating.

 

[Astery]

Depends on how brainwashed Kim Jong Il's son is.

If he truly believes North Korea is Best Korea then nothing will change for the foreseeable future.

Nothing will change.

 

[timetokill]

They're a warning to the rest of us, like a head on pike. Dare ye not tread the path of communism, lest ye end up like these poor fuckers.

 

[Spokker]

This photo answers many questions about the Korean Peninsula.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Korean_peninsula_at_night.jpg

Source: http://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/ve/1438/earth_lights.gif

 

[TheKaeptain]

This photo answers many questions about the Korean Peninsula.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Korean_peninsula_at_night.jpg

That is so depressing. At least they can see the stars...right?

 

[timetokill]

That is so depressing. At least they can see the stars...right?

No, the work camps don't have windows on the human storage areas

 

[ConfusingJazz]

Two reasons:

Truman was a pussy and wouldn't nuke China.

MacArthur was fucking crazy and wanted to nuke China.


In reality: Its a remnant of Cold War politics, and now serves as a buffer state between China and US allied countries.

It can't be invaded (they would kill way too many South Koreans, and its guaranteed by China), no one wants to deal with the immigration crisis, and the leader has perfected an Orwellian nightmare.

 

[Bel Marduk]

I forget what the title of it is, but there is a cool documentary on Netflix, where a reporter goes into North Korea as a doctor's assistant. It's crazy how brainwashed the people there are, but after a few generations of being fed the same crap it's understandable. The doctor that she went there with was there to help thousands of cataract patients. He helped like a 1,000 people see again, and every time they took the bandages off their eyes, they immediately thank a poster of Kim Jong Il, and never the doctor.

I saw this. Crazy stuff. I think one day something will change though. But that won't be anytime soon.

 

[TheKaeptain]

Do they have even have an art culture there?

 

[Spokker]

Do they have even have an art culture there?

Of course. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_North_Korea

And this subway station would be the envy of any modern city.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wooolf/1395425953/

It's just that that photo is probably it and the rest of the system probably doesn't actually exist.

http://www.pyongyang-metro.com/

Built to link secret underground military facilities, the Pyongyang Metro is nevertheless an important part of the transport infrastructure in the capital of North Korea (officially, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or DPRK). There is evidence that it includes secret government-only lines, although the extent of these, if they exist, is unknown. Its station architecture is among the most attractive in the world. However, relatively little is known about the Metro outside the country, as few visitors are able to investigate the system.

You can't go there and see for yourself. When you are dealing with China, you can go and ride the high speed rail system. You can go and see what Vietnam is up to. You cannot, however, explore North Korea without a guide.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

Do they have even have an art culture there?

North Korean comics! http://www.slate.com/id/2296642/

Yeah, its mostly propaganda now.

 

[TheKaeptain]

North Korean comics! http://www.slate.com/id/2296642/

Yeah, its mostly propaganda now.

That's what I thought it would be.

 

[PflargBlarg]

There's another interesting documentary on north korea called the Vice Guide to North Korea. The first part is here http://www.vbs.tv/watch/the-vice-guide-to-travel/vice-guide-to-north-korea-1-of-3

It was really interesting to see the juxtaposition of certain excesses against the hidden poverty. The propaganda was also out of control.

 

[BocoDragon]

This is like asking "why can't we all be the same religon?"

Or "why can't there be only one console?" (/Dyack)

People get backed into ideological divisions that do provide benefit to certain people, and to eliminate these divisons would take the complete collapse of one side.

 

[ComputerMKII]

What's the point of America?

 

[TheKaeptain]

Get Money?

 

[threenote]

Not to sound like a jerk, but wouldn't you get far more helpful information from a book or even Wiklipedia?

you are a jerk, an ass even--and your comments are unnecessary.

 

[Seanspeed]

What's the point of America?

To kick your ass and take your lunch money.

 

[chaostrophy]

To provide Kim Jong Il with Hennessy and prostitutes.

 

[Chanser]

In reality it's stuck in the past.

 

[Spokker]

Not to sound like a jerk, but wouldn't you get far more helpful information from a book or even Wiklipedia?

You could say that about any thread.

Not everybody is interested enough in a topic to read a book about it. The original poster has a passing interest in North Korea. As someone who has studied East and Southeast Asia, I felt I could summarize some of the reasons why North Korea is the way it is. Others have jokes, anecdotes and their own opinions to offer.

 

[TehOh]

In addition to Nothing to Envy (which is an amazing, amazing book) and the National Geography documentary, those who want to learn more about North Korea should also watch:

The Vice Guide to North Korea (also on Netflix)
The Cleanest Race

Both are incredibly interesting and eye-opening.

 

[SoulPlaya]

N Korea isn't really a Communist country anymore, not even in the old Soviet model really. It's nothing more than an authoritarian monarchy at this point.

 

[OpinionatedCyborg]

In addition to Nothing to Envy (which is an amazing, amazing book) and the National Geography documentary, those who want to learn more about North Korea should also watch:

The Vice Guide to North Korea (also on Netflix)
The Cleanest Race

Both are incredibly interesting and eye-opening.

The Cleanest Race is the more educational of the two videos. Really interesting stuff.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

N Korea isn't really a Communist country anymore, not even in the old Soviet model really. It's nothing more than an authoritarian monarchy at this point.

I'd agree, but I would strike authoritarian with totalitarian in it's place.

 

[bean breath]

I seriously doubt that the South Korean population wants a reunification with the North at this point... particularly young people. I wonder if that's indeed the case.

I would think South Korean young people, well males, aren't big fans of compulsory military service.

 

[Jintor]

Op, read this if you want to know about life in North Korea

Fan-tastic book. Incredibly depressing. But fantastic.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

The Cleanest Race is the more educational of the two videos. Really interesting stuff.

I concur, I disagree on some of his points (this came up in the NK GAF thread), but a lot of his comments and insights (on the mother image, military only policy) are quite good.