The "Arirang mass calisthenics show" (file photo) /Xinhua News Agency
Posted on 09/10/2009 3:45:05 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Armies of N.Korean Kids 'Were on Stand-By for Clinton'
When former U.S. President Bill Clinton took off from Pyongyang in early August after winning the freedom of two American journalists, he left 40,000-50,000 North Korean children and juveniles despondent.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il had prepared a special performance of the "Arirang" mass calisthenics show for Clinton, which was to be attended by an audience of 100,000 Pyongyang residents, North Korean sources say. Kim reportedly asked Clinton three times to watch the show, but the former president changed the subject each time.
On the day, the 40,000-50,000 children and juveniles were standing by in the sultry heat because nobody knew when instructions would be given to perform. According to one North Korean source, a special order had been given a week before Clinton's visit to Pyongyang. Under the order, the children should be on standby for the "no. 1 event," i.e. a performance attended by Kim.
The "Arirang mass calisthenics show" (file photo) /Xinhua News Agency
But when the show was canceled on Aug. 5, all of the young performers were ordered to go home. A North Korean official visiting China said the regime "launched a massive propaganda campaign over Clinton's visit, but after the mass game was canceled, they abruptly changed their tune and started putting out propaganda that you shouldn't trust Americans."
Any performance attended by Kim is a special event. After he watched an "Arirang" performance with former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in October 2000, Kim gave plentiful gifts to all performers. Producers and senior administrative officials were decorated with special medals and promotions.
North Korea started the mass shows in the 1970s and began performing them regularly and using them for political purposes in the 1980s, when Kim Jong-il rose to power.
One former senior North Korean official said, "Kim Jong-il seems to have some disease so he has to show off his power and bolster his confidence by watching a mass gymnastic show performed by tens of thousands of children and juveniles."
The mass show was renamed "Arirang" in 2002. It is a one-hour-and-20-minute extravaganza in which some 100,000 youngsters often move in perfect unison. The fifth "Arirang" show's opening ceremony was staged on Aug. 10, according to the official Korean Central Broadcasting, after being canceled on Aug. 5.
The 100,000 students in Pyongyang are mobilized for training in extremely harsh conditions, having to skip classes for six months a year. There have been international charges of child abuse, but North Korea remains undeterred. Amid food shortages and UN sanctions, the conditions for the performers this year are reportedly especially difficult.
Chia Head failed to resurrect 'Maddie Moments' in Pyongyang.
Ping!
That’s ok. They can bus them over here to perform for Hussein.
Clinton did the right thing, changing the subject--and not going down there. Ironic that it was HIS Secretary of State who got played for a fool for propaganda purposes...maybe he remembers his CIA briefing after that and did not want to make the same mistake.
Not much else went right on that trip, but I will give him that. As long as Kim was very disappointed, I'll take it.
On the whole issue of what they do to those poor kids, I think I am going to be sick. Horrid, horrid place.
PS, on the LONG flight back to the USA with those two former hostages, I still wonder if he got any.
“PS, on the LONG flight back to the USA with those two former hostages, I still wonder if he got any. “
I dont doubt that he tried. what a scumbag
Time spent at the show was less time X42 had to spend with his comfort girl. His priorities were in order.
Have them email: current.com
Ask Algore to send a couple more dumbasses over to be held as hostages. (Even if Clinton comes to see you, we don’t want them back)
He still participated in the humiliation of the U.S. by going there at all though. And we still don't know what North Korea got in the trade.
What, no interns?
You didn’t bring up the point that if Obama has his way he can have the youth of America jerked around to his whims. Dictators and want to be dectators think alike.
Clintoon wasn’t interested in kids, he was interested in gettin some of them slanty eyed girls he flew back with. I guess slick willy is a member of the 6 mile high club. Poggy Chop Chop.
Not only a member, but president.
MAN that performace must been a dud
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