Posted on 12/18/2016 3:35:55 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster
N. Korean leader using group photos to show off his hold on power: observers
2016/12/18 09:03
SEOUL, Dec. 18 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is using the group photos he takes on his field inspections to show off his hold on power, Pyongyang watchers in Seoul said Sunday.
The observation was made by checking the North's media and related data collected by Seoul's unification ministry, which revealed Kim taking pictures on 20 of the 25 publicized visits he has made since Sept. 30.
This is a departure from his usual practice of engaging in group picture sessions only on key ruling party gatherings or after the successful launches of ballistic missiles and nuclear tests.
"In effect the number of times Kim took photos with people being inspected has doubled particularly in the last two months to around 10 times a month," a North Korean watcher said.
He added that when the leader visited a special forces battalion last Sunday and a civilian-military power generation station Tuesday, there was even a change in the usual protocol.
In the photo taken with troops, soldiers were armed with assault rifles, which are generally prohibited in his presence due to security reasons, while the picture taken at the power plant revealed Kim standing at the center of the last row, instead of front and center of the group, which is his usual position.
"Kim's interest in group photos seems to be aimed at highlighting that he is firmly in control of the country and to show he is a leader that thinks of his people," said Yang Moo-jin, a political science professor at the University of North Korean Studies.
Others said that Kim's surprise visit to a garrison on Kali Islet in the Yellow Sea, just 4.5 kilometers northwest of South Korea's Yeonpyeong Island, last week is an extension of the leader's desire to make a point that he is confident in his control over the country.
The islet is located just north of the tense sea demarcation line between the two countries. In November 2010, the North shelled Yeonpyeong leaving four people dead. The provocation marked the first time that the North directly conducted an artillery attack on South Korean soil after the Korean War (1950-53).
P!
The pig is taking up more and more space in group photos.
Nice hair-cut though.
I would be certain that he personally inspected every weapon in that photo to make sure there were no bullets in any of them
no wonder that most North Koreans are starving...that pig is eating enough food to feed 200 people
I’d like to steal one of those PP-19 clones off of them, just to check them out. That particular model, as far as I’m aware, is unique to north Korea. I bet its junk, but still a cool mantelpiece if you could score one. I’m not sure what the norks call it but it looks an inbred PP-19 Bizon to me
Stayfree wrote, “I would be certain that he personally inspected every weapon in that photo to make sure there were no bullets in any of them.”
More likely firing pins. Then even smuggled ammo is useless...
Looks like he could have been photo shopped into the picture.
There are hundreds of thousands of political prisoners in North Korean death camps, including small children whose "crimes" were that they had a relative who committed "thought crimes" against the demonic leadership.
>
Tens of thousands of Christians are tortured, starved, and raped in these camps.
And the world does......nothing. And the UN does.....nothing, other than pass resolutions that condemn....Israel!
Chubbys going to need a by pass soon. I’m wondering why it is those old farts with the big hats don’t take this little turd out and grab power for themselves.
Well, if not his hold on power, then at least his hold on their b*lls and the lives of their families and loved ones, not to mention his hold on the food supply.
Have you ever read “Camp 14” ?
What gets me are the helmets. How long have the Norks been using U.S. style helmets? And are they really layered kevlar?
No, I have not read Camp 14, but I have read articles about it and have watched video documentaries.
Doubtful. Maybe we can shoot these animals in the head soon (like they need) and we can find out.
Look at that profile. If fatboy keeps enjoying the good life, he’s gonna explode soon.
He must be eating a lot more dog these days. Starting to look like the asian micheal moore.
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