I was in North Korea (or DPRK as they prefer to call it) the summer before last and it really is a bizarre and surreal place.

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KentishMen
I was in North Korea (or DPRK as they prefer to call it) the summer before last and it really is a bizarre and surreal place.

I would be very interested in what you have to say about DPRK based on your first hand observations. I/we hear all sorts of things about him and the country, but long ago I lost faith in the media to tell me the truth about these things, thus I kind of back off judging based on what they say about people and countires.

Id like to hear more about this from you KentisMen.

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emotionalbarbecue
Korean Army leaders try to distract him from war by starting inflammatory threads.


Write your welcome message to him...!

I would be delighted to speak on his behalf:

"For once I am right. Jeff Beck put the Stones were they belong: In the past, maybe with the exception of Jagger.
I wouldn't be surprised if Jagger wants the Stones to tour in North Korea - with Jeff Beck of course. At least he still sounds like a missile".

KentishMan, yes, please tells us more about your visit to North Korea.
Why you were there...did it seem like a strange, strange land? Where did you stay? Did you feel "at home"? How were you treated? Any hassles.

I think you're very brave to have gone there. Did you know anyone there? Was it depressing?

Here's a company that offers tours in North Korea.

Have fun!


[www.adventures-abroad.com]

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Edith Grove
Welcome, Kim !!

lol.....you've got no plans to go there then Edith?...........Allest that man, he mock dear leader!!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013-04-01 19:33 by EddieByword.

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EddieByword
lol.....you've got no plans to go there then Edith?

No, Eddie !

My hairstyle wouldn't fit in:






North Korea issues 28 official hairstyles for its citizens


AP.

North Korea hairstyles: North Korea has issued 18 official hairstyles for women to choose from.

Women get to choose from 18 cuts, while men have 10 official "socialist" hairstyles to choose from.


North Korea is getting a makeover.

Want China Times, a news website operated by The China Times, reported that North Korea has approved 28 official "socialist" hairstyles.

The hairstyles are "capable of warding off the corrupting effects of capitalism," the Times quoted ifeng.com as saying.

The cuts are about more than fashion. They are a statement about North Korea's values, which apparently don't include spiky hair.


AP.

North Korea hairstyles: North Korea only provided 10 official hairstyles for men.
According to the Times, there are separate approved styles for single and married women, with married women getting a bit more variety. Women have 18 styles to choose from overall, while men have 10.

The Times said the approved styles are seen on the walls of salons around the country. There was no mention of how the styles would be enforced.

The fashion restrictions run deeper, though.

The Times reported that the hair guidelines stipulate that men should get a haircut every 15 days and keep their hair no longer than two inches, as "longer hair apparently takes away nutrition from the brain." Older men can have hair as long as 2.8 inches.

Oddly, North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, does not fit the approved hairstyle list, with a 'do that's longer on the top and shaved on the sides.

Others are now struggling to interpret the cultural shift.

The Times said some believe the hair edict was issued because Kim disliked previous hairstyles in the country. Others say it may be a move to improve the country's image — literally.

But another cultural force may be at work: consumerism.

The Economist interviewed a recent escapee from North Korea who reportedly left because she wanted "the freedom to wear flared jeans and jewelry and to let her hair … grow long and wavy."

The Economist said material tastes are sneaking into North Korea thanks in part to illegal South Korean and American TV dramas smuggled into the country.


[news.msn.com]

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Edith Grove

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EddieByword
lol.....you've got no plans to go there then Edith?

No, Eddie !

My hairstyle wouldn't fit in:






North Korea issues 28 official hairstyles for its citizens


AP.

North Korea hairstyles: North Korea has issued 18 official hairstyles for women to choose from.

Women get to choose from 18 cuts, while men have 10 official "socialist" hairstyles to choose from.


North Korea is getting a makeover.

Want China Times, a news website operated by The China Times, reported that North Korea has approved 28 official "socialist" hairstyles.

The hairstyles are "capable of warding off the corrupting effects of capitalism," the Times quoted ifeng.com as saying.

The cuts are about more than fashion. They are a statement about North Korea's values, which apparently don't include spiky hair.


AP.

North Korea hairstyles: North Korea only provided 10 official hairstyles for men.
According to the Times, there are separate approved styles for single and married women, with married women getting a bit more variety. Women have 18 styles to choose from overall, while men have 10.

The Times said the approved styles are seen on the walls of salons around the country. There was no mention of how the styles would be enforced.

The fashion restrictions run deeper, though.

The Times reported that the hair guidelines stipulate that men should get a haircut every 15 days and keep their hair no longer than two inches, as "longer hair apparently takes away nutrition from the brain." Older men can have hair as long as 2.8 inches.

Oddly, North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, does not fit the approved hairstyle list, with a 'do that's longer on the top and shaved on the sides.

Others are now struggling to interpret the cultural shift.

The Times said some believe the hair edict was issued because Kim disliked previous hairstyles in the country. Others say it may be a move to improve the country's image — literally.

But another cultural force may be at work: consumerism.

The Economist interviewed a recent escapee from North Korea who reportedly left because she wanted "the freedom to wear flared jeans and jewelry and to let her hair … grow long and wavy."

The Economist said material tastes are sneaking into North Korea thanks in part to illegal South Korean and American TV dramas smuggled into the country.


[news.msn.com]

I absolutely agree the North Korean regime is horrible, not much to choose.
No what are the the choices in your country when you get the death penalty: the electric chair or an injection? One might except more dignity from a civilized country. Watch out, KJ is gonna get you, buy a gun and a 1000 gallons of petrol. You're in danger.

so I guess Pyongyang is off the Stones tour itinery too then this year?.....

...WTF? what could go wrong?......



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013-04-01 20:18 by EddieByword.

Has he heard "Highwire" yet?

Sometime dictators need a slap on the wrist ......

Thanks Edith for that link. $5350 for land costs plus airfare.

Stones tickets are obviously a better deal.

Looked over the hairstyles posted. Being blonde and fair, I wonder if they'd let me in the country? Their Glorious Leader would probably have me jailed for not conforming.

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Max'sKansasCity

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KentishMen
I was in North Korea (or DPRK as they prefer to call it) the summer before last and it really is a bizarre and surreal place.

I would be very interested in what you have to say about DPRK based on your first hand observations. I/we hear all sorts of things about him and the country, but long ago I lost faith in the media to tell me the truth about these things, thus I kind of back off judging based on what they say about people and countires.

Id like to hear more about this from you KentisMen.

Absolutely...... You cant possibly leave it there kentish. You simply have to tell us more about your visit.

What a drag it is gettin' old

In all seriousness, with each passing threat, it does look more and more like the kid's started something that he's gonna have to eventually prove he can finish.

He is trying hard...

How many chins does Dear Leader have?

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emotionalbarbecue
He is trying hard...

Actually, he's picking the spread:

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1cdog
How many chins does Dear Leader have?

More than a chinese phone book!><


Sorry couldnt help myself

What a drag it is gettin' old



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013-04-03 09:39 by 68to72.

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emotionalbarbecue
He is trying hard...

So cute! Actually, KJ-U is more fashion-forward than you'd think, because I am now seeing young hipsters here in Rome sporting a version of the same haircut; super short on the sides and longer on top.

I went there of my own free will for a week. The tour company i went with was Koryo tours (www.koryogroup.com) who are a British owned Beijing based company.They take the majority of the 1500 or so western tourists that visit the DPRK annually.It was a great experience that i would definitly recommend as long you do a bit of reading up on the place before you go. The tour company website explains very well what you should expect and what you should and shouldn't do - the strangest feeling was being without a mobile phone as they have to be handed over when you land and returned upon departure. I believe this has been relaxed this year. No cameras with GPS nor with a lens over 300mm are permitted nor any literature regarding North Korea which was printed outside of the country. The tour itself was very tightly controlled with one english guide and 2 english speaking very friendly North Korean guides who are with you all of the time. You are not allowed to wander off by yourself or leave the hotel unescorted and you're only allowed to take photos when told its ok to do so and certainly not from the moving tour bus. Saying all of that at no time did I feel uncomfortable nor in any danger. You’re only going to see and go to places that shows the country in a good light. No political gulags nor impoverished villages on the tour. Some say we should boycott the country and not add to its income by visiting but I believe the more people that do go there and talk about it the more chance of it opening up and maybe one day reunicification with the south. I'll put a couple of photos on here when i work out how to!

Thanks, KentishMen !


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