Do they really believe this garbage?

It’s amazing how oppressive thought-control works so effectively, at least on the surface, among such a plurality of people.

One of the big questions is: Do the North Koreans really believe the tripe they’re fed by their junta, or do they secretly know it’s garbage? Either way, they’re compelled to act like robots because they’re too afraid to differ.

The catalyst for change will be awareness of what’s going on in the rest of the world – TV shows, radio, digital devices, word of mouth, whatever will aid in spreading that awareness. Accordingly, North Koreans will become aware of what it is to individually think for themselves – including being innovative and creative. A sea change there will also necessitate awareness that any oppressive regime can be overpowered – even their hyper-oppressive one. That awareness will be boosted by observing what’s currently going on with protests in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Last but not least, a change will occur when there’s enough courage to stand up against the suffocating regime. Those three things – awareness of what’s going on in the world; awareness of the power of protests; and the courage to act – will bring North Koreans out of their bleak suffering. Concerned countries, most notably China, South Korea, Japan and the US, keep talking about “maintaining stability” in North Korea. Granted those countries are more concerned about economics and outgoing streams of refugees than human rights. Yet North Korea’s oppressive thought control and state of “stability” is not what’s best for the North Korean people. They need to break the shackles of their mean-spirited controllers. After that, okay, stability.

Ken Albertsen

Chiang Rai