The worm has turned! North Korea has finally 'come in from the cold'. One of the longest running news based propaganda series has reached its season finale! North Korea has become a friend! The 'news' broke on 21st April. What follows is a quick synopsis of how banal and trivial the game is to supplant his old persona for a new, updated one. First of all, the good news...
North Korea 'halts missile and nuclear tests', says Kim Jong-un
(http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43846488)
The article pictures the terrifying dictator looking more benign, without his generals and against a pleasing, relaxing, colourful, artistic work. Whilst the article is qualified, it is the first positive news regarding North Korea in some time. The not so subtle 180 degree turn in opinion of the BBC and World media took less than 24 hours.
How leisure time is changing for North Korea's privileged
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42910896
The article whilst qualified, leads with a picture of ladies frolicking in an open air pool. It goes on to discuss the new emerging middle class. It does take time to reinforce some old myths such as the secrecy and number of defectors, such as Jayden. Jayden's quote is unabashedly made up.
"I spent my spare time playing football and computer games or watching movies," he says. "Although, there were many restrictions on what could be done. Many of the movies and games were illegal but I did these things on the sly."
The positive propaganda continues on the 24th showing that Kim Jong Un is not entirely wicked and without conscience as he was moved by a recent bus crash.
Kim Jong-un's 'bitter sorrow' as bus crash kills Chinese tourists
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43875526
The article pictures a tender scene in the hospital as he squeezes the hand of one of the victims who has a terrifying arm and is missing his nose. Again, no military flunkeys in sight. Two quotes from the article show that this dangerous lunatic megalomaniacal tyrant is actually just like the rest of us at heart!
"[Mr Kim] said that the unexpected accident brought bitter sorrow to his heart," the official KCNA news agency reported.
"He couldn't control his grief at the thought of the bereaved families who lost their blood relatives."
The BBC manage to sneak another piece of positive reportage of the hitherto madman on the same day.
Kim Jong-un Swiss summit dish to remind him of school
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43878889
The article is a both probing and serious and discusses at length the menu at the upcoming Summit!
"North Korea's Kim Jong-un is to be served a Swiss potato dish at a summit dinner with the South, in an apparent attempt to remind him of school".
Curiously the article omits to say
why they intend to transport him back to his school days with a fish! The BBC follow this up with more incisive reportage,
"It is believed that Mr Kim went to school in Switzerland, but this has never been confirmed officially by North Korea".
I wonder how long it will take in the minds of people to re align Kim Jong Un as 'on side', 'a goodie', rather than the pantomime villain that he was?
Could clues forum members be on the lookout for a new panto villain to be terrified of in the absence of Kim Jong Un? Could the unveiling of a new hate figure or regime or group with an acronym be upon us?