Yes, that was at normal speed. But now that I have your attention, that was “Sound of Horse Hooves in Mt Paektu” performed by the Moranbong Band of DPRK. More below. _______ Here, I want to mention a book completely out of left field: • Understanding Korea
This is a good resource for people that are curious about DPRK beyond the demonisation that we are all familiar with. If you listen to what @MikeBenzCyber has to say on X, then it's probably important to go beyond what we have already been told about this enigmatic place. I have shared it with some that have expressed the expected view of North Korea for their consideration.
What struck me when reading ‘Understanding Korea’ is that the National Socialist model of the DPRK has so much in parallel with that in Germany in the 1930s. In the DPRK they call it ‘Juche’, or ‘National Socialism with Korean Characteristics’ if you will. I will have to come back to the key passages when I can. I think it is in Chapter 9 on Human Rights re the right to Personal and National independence and self determination.
When Kim Jong Il referred to Germany’s National Socialism as ‘bourgeoisie socialism’, https://archive.org/details/nationalism_202001 he was completely misinformed and misguided. I can’t help thinking that it was because he was coming from a very different perspective. Korea was essentially a very agricultural/feudal society and so his idea of socialism was to bring people out of rural poverty (after decades of oppression and occupation – but that is another story beyond the scope here). Germany was already highly advanced in ‘technological development’, yet still highly agrarian in spirit (Hitler often spoke about the bond to the soil), and Hitler was about providing (mainly manufacturing) employment for 7 million that the jewish bourgeoisie capitalists had kept in poverty and debt slavery. Korea had its own history and a mazing culture which Hitler also celebrated. While Kim Jong Il was trying to get rural peasants fed, Hitler was creating an atmosphere of moderate prosperity and wanted to make motor vehicles affordable to the ordinary worker and farmer – the Volkswagon for example, for leisure time outside of hard working hours.
Education is free and the educational institutions are strictly prohibited from charging parents or guardians of children with fees for admission, lesson, study tour, internship and field trip
82 Provision of the Right of Children
In the DPRK every child is entitled to have a name and receive care from the state and society and their parents from the time of his or her birth.
Children can join children's organizations including the Children's Union. They are free to express their views and opinions through Publications and works of art.
Kidnapping and trafficking of children as well as child labour are strictly prohibited.
They have the right to receive the universal 12-year free compulsory education and to develop their talent and realize their hopes.
Children who are not under the care of their parents or guardians are brought up in baby homes, orphanages and boarding schools at state expense.
All expenses for making diagnosis, sample test, medication, inpatient treatment, recuperation and travel expenses to and from sanatoria, checkup, consultation, vaccination and prostheses are paid by the state.
Families duly respect children's opinions, and they are not allowed to commit such acts as ill-treating, remaining indifferent to, cursing, representing or beating children.
Violation of their right of inheritance, simply because they are children is considered to be an illegal act.
Understanding Korea – the book/audio
I followed the audio along with the actual text from the PDF booklets. As the speed was already enhanced, I found x1.25 very comfortable
• UNDERSTANDING KOREA (1) Nature
Book 1 from the beginning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iQu8H_VRtk
• UNDERSTANDING KOREA (2) History
Book 2 Starts at 58:05
https://youtu.be/7iQu8H_VRtk?t=3490
• UNDERSTANDING KOREA (3) Politics
Book 3 Starts at 1:56:52
https://youtu.be/7iQu8H_VRtk?t=7012
• UNDERSTANDING KOREA (4) Defence
Book 4 Starts at 2:50:00
https://youtu.be/7iQu8H_VRtk?t=10200
• UNDERSTANDING KOREA (5) Economy
Book 5 Starts at 3:44:21
https://youtu.be/7iQu8H_VRtk?t=13461
• UNDERSTANDING KOREA (6) Culture
Book 6 Starts at 4:36:25
https://youtu.be/7iQu8H_VRtk?t=13461
• UNDERSTANDING KOREA (7) Folklore
Book 7 Starts at 5:35:19
https://youtu.be/7iQu8H_VRtk?t=20119
• UNDERSTANDING KOREA (8) Tourism and Investment
Book 8 Starts at 6:26:10 (99 sections not 100 in this booklet)
https://youtu.be/7iQu8H_VRtk?t=23110
Section 1 starts after Table Contents at 6:29:47
https://youtu.be/7iQu8H_VRtk?t=23387
• UNDERSTANDING KOREA (9) Human Rights
Book 9 Starts at 7:20:58
https://youtu.be/7iQu8H_VRtk?t=26458
Section 1 starts after Table Contents at 7:26:20
https://youtu.be/7iQu8H_VRtk?t=26780
Thank you!!
This is a good resource for people that are curious about DPRK beyond the demonisation that we are all familiar with. If you listen to what @MikeBenzCyber has to say on X, then it's probably important to go beyond what we have already been told about this enigmatic place. I have shared it with some that have expressed the expected view of North Korea for their consideration.
Unexpected music article, beautiful and life-affirming look into the Koreans.
What struck me when reading ‘Understanding Korea’ is that the National Socialist model of the DPRK has so much in parallel with that in Germany in the 1930s. In the DPRK they call it ‘Juche’, or ‘National Socialism with Korean Characteristics’ if you will. I will have to come back to the key passages when I can. I think it is in Chapter 9 on Human Rights re the right to Personal and National independence and self determination.
When Kim Jong Il referred to Germany’s National Socialism as ‘bourgeoisie socialism’, https://archive.org/details/nationalism_202001 he was completely misinformed and misguided. I can’t help thinking that it was because he was coming from a very different perspective. Korea was essentially a very agricultural/feudal society and so his idea of socialism was to bring people out of rural poverty (after decades of oppression and occupation – but that is another story beyond the scope here). Germany was already highly advanced in ‘technological development’, yet still highly agrarian in spirit (Hitler often spoke about the bond to the soil), and Hitler was about providing (mainly manufacturing) employment for 7 million that the jewish bourgeoisie capitalists had kept in poverty and debt slavery. Korea had its own history and a mazing culture which Hitler also celebrated. While Kim Jong Il was trying to get rural peasants fed, Hitler was creating an atmosphere of moderate prosperity and wanted to make motor vehicles affordable to the ordinary worker and farmer – the Volkswagon for example, for leisure time outside of hard working hours.
Moranbong Band Concerts
Here is a window into the full concert playlist. You will recognise some of the performance from the New Year’s Celebration 2013:
• Moranbong Band full concert - New Year's celebration 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDbiPlN2TlY&list=PLna1ry0MkEzJUGGZGgibOerj17Vk4hAWT&index=4
I realised with hindsight that the various links to the Moranbong Band do not actually take you to the playlist (which is a good thing actually)
The playlist starts here with the DPRK national anthem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCrdiTA0RqI&list=PLna1ry0MkEzJqAPItUDOBmKq5rCQ1D3Fx&index=1
(Pretty stirring anthem! What’s wrong with people being proud of their own nation and ethnicity?)
Another of my favourites is #33 – “Let’s Study” – this is as risqué as they get.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukBcC-sK3wQ&list=PLna1ry0MkEzJqAPItUDOBmKq5rCQ1D3Fx&index=33
And I forgot to say – turn on the Subtitles option
A couple of highlights
77 Provision of the Right to Education
Education is free and the educational institutions are strictly prohibited from charging parents or guardians of children with fees for admission, lesson, study tour, internship and field trip
82 Provision of the Right of Children
In the DPRK every child is entitled to have a name and receive care from the state and society and their parents from the time of his or her birth.
Children can join children's organizations including the Children's Union. They are free to express their views and opinions through Publications and works of art.
Kidnapping and trafficking of children as well as child labour are strictly prohibited.
They have the right to receive the universal 12-year free compulsory education and to develop their talent and realize their hopes.
Children who are not under the care of their parents or guardians are brought up in baby homes, orphanages and boarding schools at state expense.
All expenses for making diagnosis, sample test, medication, inpatient treatment, recuperation and travel expenses to and from sanatoria, checkup, consultation, vaccination and prostheses are paid by the state.
Families duly respect children's opinions, and they are not allowed to commit such acts as ill-treating, remaining indifferent to, cursing, representing or beating children.
Violation of their right of inheritance, simply because they are children is considered to be an illegal act.