Thou Shalt Not...Take Kim's Name in Vain

The Christian Science Monitor relates some of the pseudo-religious restrictions on the proper attitude to, handling, and disposal of the image and words of Dear Leader, Kim Jong -Il.

Tips for disposing of 'Our Dear Leader's' photo

In Pyongyang, the rules are very specific about how physically to handle the Kim image.

No one is permitted to point casually at a portrait of Kim Jong Il or his father, Kim Il Sung, the founder of North Korea. If you find yourself holding a book with a picture of a Kim on the cover, you'd best carry it with two hands, face up, in a dignified manner. And no thumb or fingers are ever allowed to touch or cover Kim's face.

The image and name of the Kims are deeply ingrained as the sacred goods of North Korea, and a special etiquette has evolved in dealing with them. Rules exist for handling, carrying, hanging, and even disposing of Kim faces and portraits. There are also rituals for their printed names.

It is all part of a culture of propaganda designed to ensure permanent collective devotion among the North Korean people. No portrait of Dear Leader or Great Leader is to be folded. No newspaper issued on the birthday of Kim Jong Il or his father, when the photo is likely to be a full page, should be covered or used to wrap anything. Once a newspaper with a major photo of Kim is old or worn out, it may not be tossed out, but must be brought to a special collection point where the image is properly discarded.

A few years ago, prior to a special festival attended by many foreigners, a special 100-note currency was issued, using the Kim Il Sung face.

But it was quickly withdrawn from circulation after it was discovered that foreigners were casually folding the bills and putting them in wallets placed next to the derrière.   

(To say nothing of how they were probably put to use on those same derrieres after the tourists returned home, given the worth of those bills.)

In writing about Kim, the name or character may not be casually deleted. In fact, the editing of journals and books mostly still takes place on paper. Journalists and writers must not remove Kim's name from a sentence by crossing it out. Instead, The name must be circled, and only then removed.

And in published material, direct quotes by Kim or his father should always appear in a manner similar to how many Bible publishers treat the words of New Testament figures - in bold or illuminated type. 

And these arejust a few of  the  silly, little rituals that the whole repressive mess is wrapped in.   It's the straving children, generations condemned to prison camps, and wasted futures that are the real tragedy.  Professor R. J. Rummels has some sobering--and perhaps startling--reflections on North Korea and what might  possibly be done to alleviate the misery of millions.  And prevent catastrophe from spreading over the borders.