Great Leader, Dear Leader Being Pimped on Black Markets
by Richardson ~ June 11th, 2007. Filed under: Kim Jong-il, North Korea. 
According to the Daily NK, portraits and pins of the Great Leader, Dear Leader, and Kim Jong-sook (KJI’s mother) have begun to appear in black markets. One reason given is that by displaying some of these special items in one’s home, it implies connections to the elite, thereby enhancing one’s status, even though they could be sent to the gulags for displaying the items fraudulently! But is this a sign of decaying respect for the Kim family? Not according to the report - but it does point to corruption:
Recently, portraits of Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Sook (Kim Jong Il’s mother) wearing military clothing are being sold at North Korea’s black market, Jangmadang.
“Good Friends” a North Korea support organization, published a newsletter which informed that a portrait of the “3 Generals portrait” was being sold for 7,500 North Korean won (approx. US$2.50) at Jangmadang.
The sale of the “3 Generals portrait” is actually prohibited. Then, how did portraits of the “3 Generals” end up on the black market? Is this a sign that the value of Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Sook has plummeted to rock bottom? No way.
In the past, this portrait of “Baekdu Mountains 3 Great Heroes” or otherwise known as the “3 Generals,” was distributed to North Korea’s elite class. However, as the power of money slowly took a stance in North Korea, the “3 Generals” somehow managed to appear in the markets.
People purchasing the portraits are not the elite class. If a person visits the home and sees this portrait hung, they may get the impression that the household was closely related to the elite class. In other words, the home looks as if it has value or is important, hence the demand at the markets.
The sale of Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Sook portraits in North Korea is a political offense. If a person is caught selling any portraits, they may end up in a political concentration camp.
However, as people thrive off trade and the value of money spreads throughout the nation, life continues abundantly as long as you don’t get caught. The fact that this item has appeared at Jangmadang just goes to show how much trade as prospered in North Korea.
Further, the source and owners of the portraits are the elite and with a little investigation one can unveil the corruption that is occurring amongst the upper class. As a result, as long as you do not spread rumors about the National Safety Agency and affiliated persons, authorities let you go unnoticed. (emphasis added)
Read the rest here.
June 12th, 2007 at 1:39 am
This has been going on since 1996 and is nothing new. As defectors and refugees flee into China for food, work, or freedom they often sell those items on the way out of town. Much like Awol US soldiers would sell their gear at Pawnshops outside the gates of major US army bases. I have a whole load of pins and some signifiant military awards purchased in Dandong, but alas no portraits.
June 12th, 2007 at 2:45 am
May I get a set to throw darts at?
June 12th, 2007 at 9:10 am
If the portraits work so well in convincing the average North Korean that the owner is part of the elite then why are the actual elite potentially compromising their position by selling them?
In my opinion most stories such as this are hyped up by the media as there is so little big information coming out of North Korea that people want to read into something like this as if the regime is on the brink of collapse. Notice at the end of the article it says “what if Kim Jong-il knew about this?” Well I’m pretty sure Kim has access to the internet and Madeleine Albright said he told her he regularly searches the net to keep himself up with current affairs. I doubt it would be too long before he read something like the DailyNK.
June 13th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Jon,
The portraits are meant to imply the owners connections to the elite, not necessarily being elites themselves.
Selling pins and related is not new, as Hamilton notes, but getting into the selling of portraits and related items is indeed a significant change.
June 13th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Jack,
This is the largest I’ve found online - an easy job to enlarge and target;
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/dprk/images/kim-jong-il_portrait.jpg
June 14th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
With Father’s Day quickly approaching, what better way to say “I love you Dad!” than a gift of the “3 Generals” Dartboard, by Wham-O!!! Now you can be the talk of your entire collective with this decorative dartboard & be the hit at all of your re-education parties with this newest sensation! Also by Wham-O coming to a black market near you the Kim Jong “Mentally”- Il Rorschach Flash Card Set. Now you too can see conspiracies in the comfort of your own gulag.
Order now while supplies last. Sorry no C.O.D.’s will e accepted. Make money order payable to Dear Leader Entreprises……