Posted on 10/26/2014 6:11:39 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
North Korea in a fluster about Kim Jong-un?
October 20, 2014 by nfi-admin —1 Comment
On October 19, Korean Central TV (KCTV, central state broadcaster) released footage of Kim Jong-un greeting medalists from the Incheon Asian Games, in a move confirming his continued presence.
But this latest coverage of Kim Jong-un’s public activities lays bare a haphazard implementation of procedures. In North Korea, protocol requires for cadres to stand tense while facing the direction of the “Supreme Dignity” and then salute respectfully as he passes by. Yet the still below features two generals standing in a perfunctory manner in the presence of Kim Jong-un.
One of the generals is not even looking towards Kim as he has his hand resting on his head. More odd than the general’s behaviour is the fact that North Korea’s state media are releasing images that do not meet its rigorous vetting standards.
A general looks the other way as he salutes Kim Jong-un. Photo credit: KCTV (October 19, 2014)
The KCTV footage has the potential to mislead viewers into thinking that a general considers himself above observing due protocol and respect with regards to the Supreme Leader. This is a level of suggestive contravention against the Supreme Leader’s cultification which, if it had slipped through the vetting process during Kim Jong-il’s time, would have had to lead to the immediate removal from posts of those responsible at KCTV and the Propaganda and Agitation Department, as well as the general in question.
In a shot depicting the Supreme Leader, every detail of focus, including other people’s physical conduct, gaze, and the angle from which the camera crew captures the scene, must be directed towards the Supreme Leader. The Institute for Party Records must select those images best focused on the Supreme Leader before transferring them to the Propaganda and Agitation Department.
Even those on the bottommost rung of this vetting process at the Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun, Korea Central News Agency (KCNA, DPRK news wire for outside audience) or KCTV, for the sake of their own safety if nothing else, must process Supreme Leader related media in strict observation of principles that prioritize the Supreme Leader’s “supremacy”. How rushed was this process for publicizing Kim Jong-un’s presence that so many procedures of vetting were bypassed and institutional regulations for upholding mutual safety infringed?
From top rungs to bottom rungs, many involved in this propaganda release process acted in contravention of protocol and procedures. Perhaps the North Korean state is just in a bit of a fluster, responding in haste to outside speculations regarding Kim Jong-un and letting slip so much in one mere frame.
Reporting by Jang Jin-sung.
P!
I’m confused.
What does this mean? Is that saluting man going to be used for missile target practice now? Or is fat Kim being allowed to go through the motions of looking like he is still in charge, but isn’t?
Very interesting month or two from NK... what in the world is going on up there?
In the old days this picture would have never been released, notice the man beside the saluting man just has his hand on the back of his neck.
Never mind.. what was I thinking...
the guy is looking at the camera and not the boss.
I’m hoping for a Caligula moment at some point where a few Nork officers riddle the demented little toad.
Yes, interesting times in NKorea...
Prodicol certainly isn’t the norm which would indicate “somethings going on”....Are there any comments from China on this that you’ve seen?
Thanks. Interesting conjecture in the article.
Not yet.
But as I have noted, China seems to be cutting off NK in a lot of ways this past year.
...”China seems to be cutting off NK in a lot of ways this past year”....
Which for that one wonders what China has in mind with this “pressure” they’re using against N. Korea.
Six key North Korean officials have reportedly been executed in Kim Yong Un’s third purge since assuming power in 2011, a South Korean newspaper reported.
South Korean newspaper ‘JoongAng Ilbo’ claims a key sports official, telecommunications minister and the head of North Korea’s air force are among six ministers who were recently executed by Pyongyang.
The report, attributed to an intelligence source...The execution report comes after Kim’s 40-day disappearance from public view.
General Ri Pyong-chol has not been seen in public since late August and Air Force chief Ri Yong-gil was missing from a recent ceremony, The Telegraph reported.
Another official who has reportedly been killed, Chang Ung, had close ties to Kim’s uncle Jang Song Thaek, who was executed last year.
A South Korean official pointed out that Kim has disappeared before and it coincided with two other purges since he took power in 2011, the Express reported.
“When he carries out a massive purge, he tends to stay out of public view for a significant period,” a Seoul Unification Ministry official said.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/north-korea-kim-jong-purges-top-officials-article-1.1985705
Good point.
A sports official? Strange. They actually did rather well in the Inchon Asian Games, they made the finals in men’s soccer. (lost to South Korea)
Off to work...but wanted to get that up...I think it comes into play in how things are understood, or not really, with N. Korea.
Yep. Nobody really understands NK, I bet most North Koreans don’t either.
North Korea has always been in a fluster cluck.
OMG that great photo ever on FR
Any chance it was photoshopped?
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