Posted on 07/23/2007 11:51:05 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Smoking ban for Dear Leader’s benefit
By Anna Fifield in Seoul
Published: July 24 2007 02:16 | Last updated: July 24 2007 02:16
Paris, Dublin, New York and ... Pyongyang? The North Korean capital, hardly known for its exciting nightlife, appears to be the latest city to impose a smoking ban.
Like those international cities, the Pyongyang ban is for health reasons. But instead of trying to protect the general populace from unwanted smoke, the North Korean crackdown – like so much of life in the world’s most totalitarian state – is all about Kim Jong-il.
“After his heart operation, Kim Jong-il’s doctor told him not to drink or smoke,” said Jang Sung-min, a close aide of former South Korean president Kim Dae-jung, who pioneered Seoul’s policy of engagement with Pyong-yang.
“So Kim Jong-il’s home and office and other places he goes to have all been designated as non-smoking places. Even the highest-level officials have to comply, so now everyone has to go outside to smoke,” said Mr Jang, citing a top Chinese diplomat who deals closely with North Korea.
Rumours about North Korea’s eccentric and reclusive “Dear Leader” are constantly buzzing, with those concerning his health attracting the most attention because the 65-year-old’s death could spell the end for his widely reviled regime.
But such whisperings are impossible to confirm because of the highly secretive nature of that regime, and diplomats and intelligence agents treat such reports warily.
The rumours do, however, fuel a school of study similar to Moscow-watching during the cold war, which could be called Kiminology.
In May, speculation about Mr Kim’s health abounded following reports that he underwent heart surgery by a German medical team, prompting the South Korean press to devote extensive coverage to the despot’s waistline and skin tone.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service says the North Korean leader appears to have heart disease and diabetes, but adds that his health problems are not serious enough to impair his ability to function.
In any case, news that the idiosyncratic leader is on a health kick does not necessarily support the thesis that the end is nigh for Mr Kim’s Communist stronghold. Quite the opposite, said analysts.
If the “Lodestar of the 21st Century” (as he is known at home) looks after himself, he could live for decades. His father, Kim Il-sung, died at the age of 82.
Ping!
Thanks......
“The guy is 5’3” tall and weighs 200 pounds.”
Maybe he’s big boned.
One a more serious note, how do they know he’s 200 pounds? I can see being able to determine his height from known objects, but his weight doesn’t seem as easy to estimate.
I also doubt that the state media would report his obesity. Not only would it hurt the guy’s inflated ego, but when you tell a bunch of people who’re barely making it day to day that their dear leader has exponentially more calories than he needs, it’s going to annoy them.
I suppose that, in light of his recent illness, he lost some weight(maybe a lot.)
Thanks! I was wondering if they were just using pictures to guesstimate.
Chia Pet ban smoking when this happen LOL!
A genuine concern for the health status of North Koreans might begin with some sort of action to improve the caloric intake and general nutrition of the citizens. But, then, that would make sense - and nothing in North Korea is allowed to make any sense; it’s a fixed rule of North Korean life.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.