Discussion summary

Discussions about North Korea include perspectives on propaganda, regime criticism, and potential military threats. Some users highlight the regime's nuclear capabilities and international reactions.

What the discussion says

  • Some believe North Korean propaganda is pervasive and question its authenticity.
  • Critics argue the regime causes suffering for 26 million people and call for intervention.
  • Others cite nuclear deterrence as a reason for the lack of military action.
North Korea is maligned by U.S. propaganda, but some visitors have positive experiences.
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The regime's nuclear capabilities deter intervention, despite suffering of its people.
peppersghost93

Comments

Hacker News

Seems a problem with the site not loading

by justinhj

Man, what's going on with this site that makes every phrase "North Korea" into a link about playing golf there? Some kind of self-link-auto-enhancement plugin gone nuts?

by phyzome

> Could you go out on your own for a walk?

> Surprisingly yes.

> Did you get many opportunities to travel within the country?

> Surprisingly yes.

And surprisingly title is: "How To Survive 3 Years in NK"

These people are so biased, they show that bias even when they don't have anything bad to say. Poor people in that country might say how to survive, but not a member of diplomatic corpus

by throwaw12

- how is life in north korea?

- can't complain!

by mito88

A diplomatic mission established for the sake of establishing it and staff making the best out of their time there I can somewhat understand, but not tourism into DPRK for the "curious" and leaving money in that state. Going there to play golf would feel like visiting Pol Pot's Cambodia because they have good forest hikes, just be careful not to slip on all the blood seeping out of the ground.

As to the lack of fear of physical harm, this was reported from a very privileged position where that safety was guaranteed by the clearly willing host. As a civilian visitor I wouldn't feel that confident. One odd look or an unfortunate question an official didn't take a liking to, will get you into questioning. So I'm told.

by wowczarek

"North Korea’s border with South Korea is a disputed border as both countries claim the entirety of the Korean Peninsula." - I did not know South Korea felt this way!

by runamuck

Most interesting observation:

> When serving in Iraq or Iran, my biggest fear in those places was always the threat of physical harm, be it ambushes on our person or vehicles, being kidnapped, rocket or mortar attacks on our embassy or accommodation. There were close shaves and the threat and the fear never left you in all of these places. But as far as life in North Korea was concerned, there were none of these fears. Serving in North Korea gave you this strange feeling of being cut off, isolated and very insular and perversely at the same time “safe.”

by josefresco

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  • Hacker News
  • Seems a problem with the site not loading
  • Man, what's going on with this site that makes every phrase "North Korea" into a link about playing golf there? Some kind of self-link-auto-enhancement plugin gone nuts?
  • > Could you go out on your own for a walk?

    > Surprisingly yes.

    > Did you get many opportunities to travel within the country?

    > Surprisingly yes.

    And surprisingly title is: "How To Survive 3 Years in NK"

    These people are so biased, they show that bias even when they don't have anything bad to say. Poor people in that country might say how to survive, but not a member of diplomatic corpus

  • - how is life in north korea?

    - can't complain!

  • A diplomatic mission established for the sake of establishing it and staff making the best out of their time there I can somewhat understand, but not tourism into DPRK for the "curious" and leaving money in that state. Going there to play golf would feel like visiting Pol Pot's Cambodia because they have good forest hikes, just be careful not to slip on all the blood seeping out of the ground.

    As to the lack of fear of physical harm, this was reported from a very privileged position where that safety was guaranteed by the clearly willing host. As a civilian visitor I wouldn't feel that confident. One odd look or an unfortunate question an official didn't take a liking to, will get you into questioning. So I'm told.

  • "North Korea’s border with South Korea is a disputed border as both countries claim the entirety of the Korean Peninsula." - I did not know South Korea felt this way!
  • by rwmj
  • Most interesting observation:

    > When serving in Iraq or Iran, my biggest fear in those places was always the threat of physical harm, be it ambushes on our person or vehicles, being kidnapped, rocket or mortar attacks on our embassy or accommodation. There were close shaves and the threat and the fear never left you in all of these places. But as far as life in North Korea was concerned, there were none of these fears. Serving in North Korea gave you this strange feeling of being cut off, isolated and very insular and perversely at the same time “safe.”