Two-time North Korean defector Timothy Cho has disclosed the challenges North Koreans face while trying to buy basic consumer products like televisions.
In a recent interview with LADbible, Mr. Cho, a North Korean escapee who survived being tortured by the government following a botched effort to leave the country and eventually settled in the UK, talked about his life in the hermit kingdom, which is presently governed by Kim Jong-un. He explained how something as basic as having a television may be very challenging in north korea and illuminated the strange and strict media management in the nation.
Mr. Cho claims that purchasing a television in north korea entitles you to a free visit from a government representative who ensures you are unable to receive any non-state broadcasts. When questioned about censorship in north korea, he told LADbible, "If you buy a tv in north korea, the government come to your house and take all antennas out and leave only one antenna."
"What's it about? Kim's family... shows films and music. He said, "If you watch TV... it's all about Kim family propaganda." "All 24/7."
Mr. Cho also disclosed a few more peculiar laws in the nation during the discussion. Even something as innocuous as a haircut has turned politicized, he claimed. It is expected that children as early as school age would have their hair trimmed in "one or two or three" distinct regulated styles. According to Mr. Cho, anyone with a hairdo that is even a few inches longer than permitted may get into problems.
"Your parents are having problems if you have anything different. He said, "They are being called to come to the police station and write a statement."
Mr. Cho said that Kim Il-sung, the first dictator, is regarded as the "eternal leader" who never really passes away. The "Son of God" is the title bestowed upon his son, Kim Jong-il. "You must visit the Kim family statue and bow before it on all national holidays. "It's worship," Mr. Cho declared.
Since so few North Koreans have been able to escape the government, Mr. Cho's story is very important. Since the 1950s, at least 30,000 North Koreans are said to have fled the nation; those who have been successful may have settled in Seoul, China, Europe, or America.
In a recent interview with LADbible, Mr. Cho, a North Korean escapee who survived being tortured by the government following a botched effort to leave the country and eventually settled in the UK, talked about his life in the hermit kingdom, which is presently governed by Kim Jong-un. He explained how something as basic as having a television may be very challenging in north korea and illuminated the strange and strict media management in the nation.
Mr. Cho claims that purchasing a television in north korea entitles you to a free visit from a government representative who ensures you are unable to receive any non-state broadcasts. When questioned about censorship in north korea, he told LADbible, "If you buy a tv in north korea, the government come to your house and take all antennas out and leave only one antenna."
"What's it about? Kim's family... shows films and music. He said, "If you watch TV... it's all about Kim family propaganda." "All 24/7."
Mr. Cho also disclosed a few more peculiar laws in the nation during the discussion. Even something as innocuous as a haircut has turned politicized, he claimed. It is expected that children as early as school age would have their hair trimmed in "one or two or three" distinct regulated styles. According to Mr. Cho, anyone with a hairdo that is even a few inches longer than permitted may get into problems.
"Your parents are having problems if you have anything different. He said, "They are being called to come to the police station and write a statement."
Mr. Cho said that Kim Il-sung, the first dictator, is regarded as the "eternal leader" who never really passes away. The "Son of God" is the title bestowed upon his son, Kim Jong-il. "You must visit the Kim family statue and bow before it on all national holidays. "It's worship," Mr. Cho declared.
Since so few North Koreans have been able to escape the government, Mr. Cho's story is very important. Since the 1950s, at least 30,000 North Koreans are said to have fled the nation; those who have been successful may have settled in Seoul, China, Europe, or America.
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