Communist Toehold

North Korea's staunch control over its citizens

Communist Toehold At the pivotal time after the death of Kim Il Sung, North Korea took select journalists on a tour of the country, attempting to convey images of success and happiness. Yet in this flawed nation, the poverty and oppression behind the facade is never far away.
A child struggles to smile at our camera because it is forbidden to look sad. Farm labourers wear make-up in the fields and at a cement factory no workers or cement can be seen. North Korea is determined to present a perfect face to the world but cannot hide the failure of its isolationist policy. Building projects stand idle and the country is having a hard time adjusting to life without communist leader Kim Il Sung. Each day thousands gather to weep before his statue. From Pyongyang we visit the 38th parallel - watched by tense southern soldiers. At the International Sports and Culture Festival for Peace North Korea's wrestling champion triumphs over his blond American opponent to rapturous applause - a staged win in an allegedly hostile world.
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