North Korean Tales [Archive]

Hrafn

20th March 2014, 21:55

Would anyone be interested in me putting up some short North Korean texts? When I visited Pyongyang in April 2013, I bought some pamphlet-like anthologies, containing folkloric stories about Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, describing their feats and traits. Vignettes much in the same style as, say, certain stories about the acts of Jesus Christ.

ArisVelouxiotis

20th March 2014, 22:09

And then Kim Il Sung said to the villagers....

Hrafn

20th March 2014, 22:15

Here's one typical example, to give you an idea. It's from "Anecdotes of Kim Jong Il's Life", published in Juche 101 (2012) by the Foreign Languages Publishing House. It is featured in the chapter "Mystery", which primarily describes, well, mystical acts. There are also chapters such as "Wisdom" and "Modesty".

"It's Quite Strange"

One May day in 2000, in a field in North Phyongan Province situated in the northwest of the country, Kim Jong Il was discussing farm work with some officials. When he spotted a tractor at the roadside, he walked towards it.

He asked the tractor driver to start the engine.

The driver climbed into the tractor through the left door, and almost at once the sound of the engine starting could be heard.

After listening to the engine, Kim Jong Il approached the right door of the driver's cab.

The tractor driver was embarrassed, knowing that the door was broken.

Kim Jong Il took the handle and pulled. The door, which the driver had previously been unable to open however hard he had tried, opened easily.

Kim Jong Il looked inside the cab for a moment and shut the door. He then told the driver he should keep his tractor in a good state of repair.

After he left the field, a crowd gathered around the tractor. People tried to open the cab's right door, thinking it would be easy now that their leader had opened it. However, they were all unable to do so. They eventually succeeded in opening the door with the help of various tools.

Everyone commented how strange it was. It seemed even a tractor recognized the great man.

Pinto Morais

20th March 2014, 22:36

Would anyone be interested in me putting up some short North Korean texts?

Yes, please. They should be interesting.

ArisVelouxiotis

20th March 2014, 22:51

Rafiq

21st March 2014, 01:36

No, Alexander did not waste effort in undoing the knot, he simply unsheathed his sword and sliced it in two.

Os Cangaceiros

21st March 2014, 07:17

If only Kim Jong Il was still around to lay hands on my Xbox.

Creative Destruction

21st March 2014, 07:37

wow. that shit is pretty insane.

Hrafn

21st March 2014, 11:00

Alroght, pretty good response. I'll get another text up soon.

Comrade Jacob

21st March 2014, 11:38

Damn, that's some cult they got there.

Hrafn

21st March 2014, 16:02

Here's one from the same anthology as the previous one, from the chapter "Wisdom".

(A quick note: All quotes by Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il are bolded in the original texts, to set them apart, so I'm including that.)

Profound Knowledge of Poultry

One September day in 1967 Kim Jong Il visited a chicken farm.

Some chickens were playing in the recreation area while others were laying eggs in the coops, which were equipped with automatic doors.

An official reported that they were the first batch of fattening chickens that had been hatched from eggs sent to the farm by Kim Il Sung. Kim Jong Il, with a satisfactory eye on the plump chickens, praised the farm for having raised the chickens well. Then he looked more closely at one chicken before asking, "Is that a fattener, too? That one pecking nervously at the feed."

The officials looked in the direction to which he was pointing, and saw a chicken fussing over its feed.

He asked if a laying chicken had got mixed with the fattener.

No one answered.

With a slight smile on his face, he said, "Fatteners are calm and never fuss, but laying chickens are nervous by nature."

Then he commented that it must be an excellent layer.

An official caught the chicken, and examined it. Kim Jong Il was right.

Even the breeders, who observed and examined the chickens every day to prevent one with different characters mixing, had failed to notice the chicken. However, Kim Jong Il had noticed the laying chicken among the thousands of similar-looking fatteners at first glance.

DOOM

21st March 2014, 16:06

ArisVelouxiotis

21st March 2014, 16:29

No, Alexander did not waste effort in undoing the knot, he simply unsheathed his sword and sliced it in two.

Neither did Kim.

Craig_J

21st March 2014, 18:23

These are very interesting to see, thank you for sharing!

I always thought these stories that were supposedly said were an exaggerated myth, frightening that they actually do exist!

Hrafn

21st March 2014, 20:02

These are very interesting to see, thank you for sharing!

I always thought these stories that were supposedly said were an exaggerated myth, frightening that they actually do exist!

Thank you all for the kind words. :) Nice to get feedback.

The interesting thing here, I think, is that the stories about Kim Jong-il are frequently highly mystical. Beyond great wisdom, powers of observation, kindness, etc., Jong-il also displays control over the weather, and a magical connection to inanimate objects, for example. From what I can tell, none of the stories about Il-sung show anything that is factually superhuman (and the anthology about him is about half as long as the one about the son).

ArisVelouxiotis

21st March 2014, 20:41

Thank you all for the kind words. :) Nice to get feedback.

The interesting thing here, I think, is that the stories about Kim Jong-il are frequently highly mystical. Beyond great wisdom, powers of observation, kindness, etc., Jong-il also displays control over the weather, and a magical connection to inanimate objects, for example. From what I can tell, none of the stories about Il-sung show anything that is factually superhuman (and the anthology about him is about half as long as the one about the son).

A better question would be.When you went there did people seem to believe those stories?

Red Commissar

21st March 2014, 20:44

These'd be interesting to scan and put online. Pretty bizarre.

Hrafn

21st March 2014, 21:01

A better question would be.When you went there did people seem to believe those stories?

I did interact with a lot of locals, but not in very verbal ways. As for the guides and the official tour stuff, very little was actually said about the leaders, and there weren't really many openings to ask "do you think Il-sung could mind-bend spoons?"

Stalin Baratheon

23rd March 2014, 17:23

Creative Destruction

29th March 2014, 00:17

BIXX

29th March 2014, 05:30

I did interact with a lot of locals, but not in very verbal ways. As for the guides and the official tour stuff, very little was actually said about the leaders, and there weren't really many openings to ask "do you think Il-sung could mind-bend spoons?"

I request moar stories

Hrafn

29th March 2014, 12:06

So many lies are said about North Korea (120 dogs killing Kim's uncle, extermination of disabled, extraction of teeth to stop a zombie invasion...) that unless you put an actual proof of that I will take it as another lie about North Korea, sorry.

Hahaha. Are you accusing me of doctoring silly stories about the Great Leaders? Pray tell, what type of "actual proof" doth thee requireeth?

Echo, thanks, I'll post more on Monday or so.

Kim Il-sung

30th March 2014, 04:33

Thank you all for the kind words. :) Nice to get feedback.

The interesting thing here, I think, is that the stories about Kim Jong-il are frequently highly mystical. Beyond great wisdom, powers of observation, kindness, etc., Jong-il also displays control over the weather, and a magical connection to inanimate objects, for example. From what I can tell, none of the stories about Il-sung show anything that is factually superhuman (and the anthology about him is about half as long as the one about the son).

I'm currently researching for information on Kim Yong-nam. He is 85 years old. I wonder how close he is to the family? His trust could grant him significant laissez-passez power.

Sinister Intents

30th March 2014, 16:13

I request moar stories

I do too.... There is a lot of crazy in this thread

Hrafn

1st April 2014, 15:45

It's Tuesday, but what the hell. This one is from "Anecdotes of Kim Il Sung's Life", published in Juche 96 (2007) by the Foreign Languages Publishing House. This one is shorter, and has no chapters. Also, the content is far less directly mystical in nature.

The Supreme Commander in Ordinary Soldier's Padded Shoes in Summer

One sweltering day in August 1951, Kim Il Sung inspected samples of military uniforms to be supplied that winter.

About ten suits of winter military uniforms, caps, gloves and padded shoes were exhibited on a display stand.

Guided by an official, Kim Il Sung inspected them one by one. Then he said, "Let's hear the opinions of the soldiers who will wear them." He called some soldiers, and made them try the uniforms on.

After checking the details of the laced-up padded shoes, Kim Il Sung said he would take a pair of padded shoes with him. "What does he need them for?" the officials asked themselves.

The next day, they were surprised so see Kim Il Sung walking about, wearing the padded shoes.

Kim Il Sung went on wearing the shoes for more than a week. One day, after a long spell of rain, Kim Il Sung walked along a muddy road to inspect the workplace of a squadron of sappers, still wearing the padded shoes.

Arriving at the place, he unexpectedly asked the sappers' opinion of the the padded shoes he was wearing, saying that padded shoes of that kind were expected to be distributed to all the soldiers in the coming winter.

The soldiers looked in wonder at the padded shoes for a little while, before saying with joy: "Comrade Supreme Commander! They are very nice."

He urged them to pinpoint the shortcomings of the shoes, instead of merely approving them, so that he could get better ones made for them. He then aired his own opinion, saying, "I have been wearing the shoes for several days, and found them warm and comfortable. But they get wet easily. I am afraid they might freeze the feet."

Then, pointing at the rubber frame, he said: The rubber is so low that the cloth gets wet even on a road which is not so muddy. During the winter in our country sleet is frequent, and roads often become muddy due to thawing, and shoes get wet easily. Therefore, shoes, even if they are padded, may still freeze the feet if they are wet.

He then drew their attention to his finger marking the possible height of the rubber frame to be raised, asking their opinion.

Upon their approval, he beamed, asking them if such a height would make the shoes look shabby.

One soldier replied that as the height of the rubber frame was to be raised for the soldiers' convenience, it would also be good to see if they became accustomed to it.

Kim Il Sung was pleased that this answer was the same as his own opinion. There and then he said, "If you all approve, then let that be the height of the rubber frame."

BIXX

1st April 2014, 16:07

Hahahahaha I don't know why that one was so funny.

Sinister Intents

1st April 2014, 17:57

Is there a way I can get these revolutionary combat shoes?

Hrafn

2nd May 2014, 18:24

Since someone said they liked it just recently... why not another one. This is yet another from "Anecdotes of Kim Jong Il's Life", published in Juche 101 (2012) by the Foreign Languages Publishing House. Chapter Six - "Modesty".

When He Was Most Upset

In August 1969, Kim Jong Il was in a region giving on-site guidance.

One day an official came to see him, and found a maid wiping away her tears He asked her curiously, "What's the matter with you?" [Hrafn's note: It appears to have been an error made here. Only the words of Il-sung and Jong-il are ever bolded, and in this case the nameless official is the one saying it.]

"When I entered his room I saw Comrade Kim Jong Il doing his laundry. I tried to take the laundry from him, but he told me not to. What shall I do?"

The official went into his room. Kim Jong Il was hanging shirts and socks on chairs in a well-ventilated place.

Kim Jong Il poured some scorched-rice tea with chips of ice floating on it form a thermos, and offered it to him.

It was Kim Jong Il's favourite tea. In the summer he would drink it, saying it was particularly good then. The official asked him: "Do you have to do the laundry yourself? You can have a maid do such things for you.

Laughing, he said that many people were minding his private life that day.

"We are not nosing into your private life. We just hope that you don't do such menial work."

Kim Jong Il laughed more loudly. "How can I break a habit from my childhood?" The official urged him at least not to do the laundry. Kim Jong Il asked him for what he should break the habit.

"You are a man respected by the whole people of the country."

Remarking that the official would make a prince of him, Kim Jong Il asked: "When do you feel the most upset?" As the official did not reply for a moment, Kim Jong Il continued:

I feel the most upset, for example, in today's circumstances, in other words, when people try to accord me special treatment, regarding me as someone privileged. Words fail to express my feelings at such moments. If I must express them, I feel pain, as if I'm sitting on a cushion of needles.

The official realized that his offer had caused Kim Jong Il pain in his heart. He was embarrassed. Kim Jong Il continued as follows:

Our leader Kim Il Sung regards the people as above himself, and says that he is their son. That is why he lives a humble and simple life, always sharing weal and woe with them. My principle in life differs little from his. Above me, Kim Jong Il, are the people, and Kim Jong Il is their son - this is my principle in life. In performing my proper duties as the people's son, I have never expected any special treatment or privilege, nor will I do so in the future either. It is my greatest pleasure in live a humble life as others do. So please do not offer me any special treatment or privilege, like asking me to have someone else do my laundry for me. Asking me to enjoy special treatment or privilege is tantamount to sitting me on a cushion of needles.

Interesting detail: There was, as of yet, no "Anectdotes of Kim Jong Un's Life" by 2013, but there was one single text written by the new Dear Leader available for sale at the foreign languages bookstore at the time of my visit. Namely, "On Bringing about a Revolutionary Turn in Land Administration in Line with the Demands for Building a Thriving Socialist Country", published in Juche 101 (2012) by the Foreign Languages Publishing House. It is subtitled "Talk to Senior Officials of Party and State Economic Organs and Working People's Organizations April 27, Juche 101 (2012)". Amusingly, the first page contains the quote: "WORKING PEOPLE OF THE WHOLE WORLD, UNITE!"

I have been so far unable to locate the text online, and all references to it go back to this (http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2012/201205/news08/20120508-29ee.html) KCNA article (or others like it), which amusingly uses a different translation for the title than the North Korean publisher did (i.e. "On Effecting a Drastic Turn in Land Management to Meet the Requirements for Building a Thriving Socialist Nation". If anyone would be interested in it, or know anyone who would be, I could possibly try to somehow scan it in the near future, and upload online.

Ismail

3rd May 2014, 15:36

Amusingly, the first page contains the quote: "WORKING PEOPLE OF THE WHOLE WORLD, UNITE!"All writings by the Kims have this. The Soviets, Chinese, Albanians, Vietnamese, etc. had it as well for the works of Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Hoxha, Ho Chi Minh and whatnot.

If anyone would be interested in it, or know anyone who would be, I could possibly try to somehow scan it in the near future, and upload online.If you do scan it I could put it up here so that all toiling Internet-having humanity can effortlessly read and/or download it: https://archive.org/search.php?query=uploader%3A%22kocotosi%40gmail.co m%22&sort=-publicdate

An Indian guy I know says he plans to scan the first volume of Kim Il Sung's Selected Works one day and put it on there, so it won't look too out of place.

But yeah this is just another example of how the DPRK's cult is... exceptional. For instance I have a 1988 book titled Our Enver by Ramiz Alia (which I'll scan eventually), and it's obviously full of praise, but it's along the lines of stuff like this: "He was always informed about the latest achievements in different sciences. Every good new book made him happy. Had he participated in a competition for the title 'Friend of Books' he would certainly have taken first place." "Marx's addage 'books are my slave' fit Enver to a T." "In our free meetings it was his habit to tell us about what he had read recently. In this way, he not only informed us about particular problems, but also encouraged us to read. Today he would speak about history, tomorrow about geology; one day about ethnography and another day about ancient medicine; sometimes about the Hussites, at other times about the history of the Bible or Islam; on one occasion about radioactivity, on another about the birth of different alphabets..."

Iakovsko

5th May 2014, 13:54

Interesting stories. Did they also give the one about the Dragon and Il-Sung's cave-birth? I'd very much like to see more of these. Part of me wants to visit North Korea (for both the first hand experience and the personal knowledge of the place).

Hrafn

5th May 2014, 17:58

Nothing about dragons or caves, sadly. :grin:

synthesis

5th May 2014, 18:16

I'm currently researching for information on Kim Yong-nam. He is 85 years old. I wonder how close he is to the family? His trust could grant him significant laissez-passez power.

So how did those shoes work out for you?

Nakidana

5th May 2014, 19:49

If only Kim Jong Il was still around to lay hands on my Xbox.

Now hold on a minute, he never actually fixed the tractor! He just looked inside it and then told the driver to keep it in a good state of repair. Kim Jong Il was actually being insanely smug and egotistic in this story. He obviously knows of the problem, but finds it beneath him to even mention it. He just waltzes over to the right side of the tractor without a word, opens the door as if there was nothing wrong with it, looks around the guy's tractor and then finishes off by disparaging the poor guy ("huh...you should keep this tractor in a good state of repair...peasant...")

To compare with your xbox: Kim Jong Il would turn on your Xbox, it would suddenly be working, he would briefly start up FIFA and then turn the xbox off again. Then he would tell you to take care of your xbox and leave.

If Kim Jong Il wasn't such a smug bastard, he'd have told the people how to fix the damn door, not just leave feeling good about himself!

Ismail

5th May 2014, 23:04

Apparently Ceaușescu was engaged in similar "go to people and tell them how to do their job better" activities. I wonder if he cribbed that from the Kims.

One guy visiting Romania in 1989, entering a museum: "On another wall was a huge photograph of Ceausescu standing in a field of corn, a group of peasants gathered round him (at a respectful distance) hanging on his every word as he, the former shoemaker, explains to them how to grow cereals." - Anthony Daniels, Utopias Elsewhere, 1991, p. 103.

I also recall watching a video of Ceaușescu visiting a bakery in the capital in the late 80s and feeling the bread, commenting how said bread was harder than in the provinces. Then he left. It felt awkward and dumb.

The Intransigent Faction

11th May 2014, 02:46

Now hold on a minute, he never actually fixed the tractor! He just looked inside it and then told the driver to keep it in a good state of repair. Kim Jong Il was actually being insanely smug and egotistic in this story. He obviously knows of the problem, but finds it beneath him to even mention it. He just waltzes over to the right side of the tractor without a word, opens the door as if there was nothing wrong with it, looks around the guy's tractor and then finishes off by disparaging the poor guy ("huh...you should keep this tractor in a good state of repair...peasant...")

To compare with your xbox: Kim Jong Il would turn on your Xbox, it would suddenly be working, he would briefly start up FIFA and then turn the xbox off again. Then he would tell you to take care of your xbox and leave.

If Kim Jong Il wasn't such a smug bastard, he'd have told the people how to fix the damn door, not just leave feeling good about himself!

So he's the Korean equivalent of Captain Hindsight? :lol:

esXJN_OTkmU

I can definitely see Kim Jong Il doing this.

PhoenixAsh

11th May 2014, 03:02