The dystopia of North Korea, illustrated in a single photograph.

The Atlantic ^ | Feb 15, 2012

[Kip Russell]

This photo is one of many in the World Press Photo Contest of 2012. Straight out of Orwell's "1984".

It shows a picture of North Korea's founder, Kim Il-sung, decorating a building in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang.

[Kip Russell]

Not a single watt of electricity can be spared for anything except the portrait of North Korea's version of Big Brother.

[KC_Lion]

It's want Ubama and the Dum's want here.

EVERYONE IS EQUAL!

NO ONE HIT THE EUGENIC LOTTERY!

And all the right people are in charge

[Blood of Tyrants]

I have seen happier looking concentration camps. But then, the past several NK dictators have made the whole country a concentration camp.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Chilling.

[Moonman62]

Our own Dear Leader.

[JPG]

The Norks must have blown a fuse.

[Revolting cat!]

And the news this week is that there will always be 39% who’ll worship Dear Leader no matter what. At least in this utopia.

[doorgunner69]

Well, hey, look at it this way:

Either they get to bed early at a healthy hour and lots of nookie, or,

They do not need to get up early for the morning rush hour commute?

[GeronL]

Look at all that equality! How glorious!

//sarcasm

[coloradan]

What are you complaining about, comrade? Eight of the flats shown in the photograph have balconies! Eight of them! It’s proof the Dead Leader cares about his people, because otherwise, there wouldn’t be any balconies at all!

[GeronL]

rush hour?

There are very few “private” cars, usually the elite and party officials.

[blueunicorn6]

Look closer at that picture. The guy is wearing a tie. You don’t usually see him wearing a tie. I think it’s Jon Stewart.

[Conscience of a Conservative]

Kim-Il-sung often wore a tie. His grandson, Kim-Jong-un, does not.

[blueunicorn6]

Look at the photo. It doesn’t look like Gramps or Goofy.

[BenLurkin]

He lights up their life.

[Viennacon]

Someone should shop this with Obama on the sign instead. The lefty dream!

[Artcore]

A fitting end for all dictators:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhTflHfPhgc

[doorgunner69]

Satire must be an alien experience to you?

[GeronL]

No, I get sat-tired a lot, especially after sitting at the keyboard all day and night.

:p

[expat1000]

One thing that stands out to me the the total lack of water tanks on the roofs.

Usually in Asian countries, the water pressure is too low to flow higher than one or two stories at best so water is pumped up to rooftop tanks on apartment buildings and then the units just get their water through gravity. I suspect there is no running water at all in these units.