Slavish congratulation and convoluted sentences.

This letter was written by western acolytes of North Korea and appeared on the Red Banner of Songun website. It was addressed to “Peerlessly legendary son of Songun leader Kim Jong il”.

Our great leader Kim Jong Il, On the occasion of your birthday, the biggest holiday of humankind, we reverentially extend to you the greatest glory and congratulation. The Songun politics administered by leader Kim Jong Il who was born and grew up inheriting the lineage of Songun arms of Mt. Baekdu, and developed in depth the Songun idea of great President Kim Il Sung, is the only beacon and invincible sword of the progressive humankind fighting for the global independence and socialism in the fierce showdown with the imperialists, common enemy of the people.

The greatness, truthfulness, validity and vitality of the Songun idea and politics, the banner of anti-imperialist independence, are being proved day by day so thus Songun becomes a tendency of the world today. By dint of the great Songun politics the dark clouds of the imperialist domination and subordination, high-handedness and arbitrariness, and aggression and war will be smashed to pieces, and the blue sky of a new independent world, free, peaceful and thriving, will be opened without fail.

We express again the warm gratitude and glory to you, great sun of Songun, who is bestowing the great pride and self-confidence upon us, the absolute followers, defenders and disseminators of the Songun idea and politics.


This letter was issued on behalf of the Songun Group, The Association for the Study of the Songun Politics-UK (that splendid fellow Dermot Hudson, I would imagine) The Songun Politics Study Group-US, and the Pyongyang Mission of the AINDF (Anti Imperialist National Democratic Front)

Luckily there can’t be more than a few hundred fools in Europe and North America that believe this claptrap. After all Songun is hardly a benevolent policy: the army of North Korea gets everything and its people nothing. Then again there are those who still praise Stalin and Mao so I suppose it’s inevitable that Kim will get a small following of fools. I wish they would realise that shorter sentences is a virtue!

On the occasion yesterday of the 65th birthday of Dear Leader Kim Jong-il

...Generalissimo guiding light of Songun, strategist. Under the perfect leadership of Dear Leader brilliant statesman and invincible military commander, the Korean people vow... Bugger it! here is a Performance of The Song of General Kim Jong Il by the Merited Choir of the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Korean People's Army, live at Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang in 2003.



The words are, apparently, as follows:

Mt. Paektu reaches across
To shape our beautiful land.
Cheers resound all over the land,
Hailing our dear General.
He's the leader of the people,
Carrying forward the Sun's cause.
Long live, long live, General Kim Jong Il.

All blossoms on this earth
Tell of his love, broad and warm.
Blue East and West Seas sing
His exploits in their song.
He is the artist of great joy,
Glorifying the garden of Juche.
Long live, long live, General Kim Jong Il.

Socialist cause he defends
With iron will and courage.
He raises national honour
Far and wide throughout the world.
He is the champion of justice,
Standing for independence.
Long live, long live, General Kim Jong Il

I'll never criticise the National Anthem again! The UK has its faults but I am glad I live here than under a lunatic regime like that in the DPRK

And there was I wasting time with the Grauniad and the Indy

An agreement reached with North Korea for it to close its nuclear reactor in exchange for fuel or economic aid received widespread coverage in the world's press earlier this week. I was curious to see how North Korea ran the story. I would have expected some coverage showing it as a victory for the Great (or is still the Dear) Leader and Juche over the "imperialistic brigands" of the United States. The Korean Central News Agency(KCNA) has absolutely nothing to say on the agreement but I did find out that:

(15 February) symposia have been held to on Kim Jong Il’s undying feats. Apparently the speakers profoundly explained the imperishable feats performed by Kim Jong Il for the times and history. They said (no less!) Kim Jong Il, genius of thought and theory, scientifically formulated the revolutionary idea of President Kim Il Sung and steadily developed it in depth to meet the demand of the developing revolution, thus clearly indicating the road ahead of the times and humankind….. And so on and so forth.

(14 February) A collection of anecdotes about music saw the light. The first part of the book includes touching anecdotes dealing with the extraordinary wisdom and tireless leadership of Kim Jong Il who led the musicians to make songs lauding the brilliant revolutionary life, undying revolutionary exploits and noble virtues of President Kim Il Sung…. I will spare you the other four parts.

(12 February) Public presentation on greatness of Kim Jong Il held during which speakers said that Kim Jong Il had performed undying feats on behalf of the era and history by leading the Korean revolution and the cause of global independence to victory with his distinguished political ability and extraordinary Songun revolutionary leadership…. Well you get the message

It is heartening to see that Kim Jong Il is never short of floral baskets as this seems to be the thing every other head of state ever gives him…

As for the Korean Friendship Association it is also heartening to note that that splendid fellow Dermot Hudson organised a public meeting n West London last Saturday which was attended by more than 35 people (36 people?). A video "Faith of Korea" was shown which featured the advantages of socialism and carried coverage of the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il tirelessly giving on the spot guidance including late at night.

And there was me planning to watch Volver and Das Experiment this weekend when I could be watching this!