Blog: North Korean check-list
Updated on 02 March 2008
Some lists I found on my visit to North Korea with the New York Philharmonic...
Items you must declare on entering North Korea
Weapon, ammunition, explosives, killing device, drug, exciter, narcotics, poison, GPS or Navigator, hand phone, cell phone and other communication means, historical and cultural wealth, and artistic works, publishing of all kinds.
Phrases from the Korean/English dictionary on sale in hotel shop
(NB: In North Korea, the internet and private property are banned)
I was taken in by a plausible swindler
Satan turned himself into a serpent
I'm going to nail him to the wall
Larcenists deserve to be severely punished
The insurance company will insure your property against fire
Microsoft Windows '95 is a program that controls the overall activity of your computer
One of the most important and most widely used internet services is anonymous FTP
Security is the greatest enemy (sic)
Songs and dances performed by children at the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace
Best is My Country
Jingle Bells
Little Musician
Generalissimo Kim Il Sung Danced With Us
Clementine
Korean Wrestling
Jolly Caballero
Wonderful is Our Rhythm
We Are Masters of the Future
We Are Faithful Only to General Kim Jong Il
Stories on North Korean TV News the day of the New York Philharmonic concert, in order of broadcast
(NB: Korean TV runs the most important story last)
Feature on a cable making factory, showing stills of Kim Jong Il and interview with a worker
Art exhibition featuring drawings about Kim Jong Il's birthday
Children playing instruments, dancing and getting into a model train
Aquarium with ornamental fish
Press Conference with Musical Director of NYPH
NYPH and journalists visit People's Study Palace
NYPH and journalists visit Pyongyang metro, plus interview with member of orchestra
After the news, an old film showed
Televisions being handed out to grateful villagers
Kim Jong Il visiting a goat farm.
Recent extracts from the North Korean media
"A majestic sunrise was observed on Mt Paektu, the sacred mountain of the revolution on February 16 Note:Kim Jong Il's birthday, in the lunar calendar) ... After seeing the sunrise, members of the expedition team and visitors said that the heaven unfolded a mysterious scene as a reflection of the reverence of the Korean army and people for Kim Jong Il, son of the guerrilla army and general of Mt Paektu." (Pyongyang Times. Feb 23rd, Juche 97)
"General Secretary Kim Jong Il's all-embracing politics is great politics as it reflects the fundamental interests and wishes of all classes and strata who make up the nation, politics of concord and reunification as it embraces all classes and strata in the north and the south and abroad and leads them to a bright future of reunification and politics of love as it takes care of the destiny of all the fellow countrymen and shows warm loving care and solicitude for them." (Rodong Sinmun, Feb 22nd Juche 97)
