Comments on: 7 December 2009

By: SYL

SYL — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:29:41 +0000

As for Bradley’s NYT oped on the occasion of the 58th anniversary of that day of infamy, well, he makes several interesting points, although I do not agree with the implication that there is a causal link between Teddy Roosevelt’s actions in 1905 and Pearl Harbor in 1941. That is, war was not “inevitable,” in my view. Further, Bradley seems to assume that the US in 1905 was a great power with the means to control both Japan and Russia.

One bitter irony in this line of thinking for Korean nationalists is that yes, we heartily blame TR for the “loss” of Korea in 1905, but, wait, didn’t the “inevitable” war against the US in 1941 thanks to Japan’s military expansion that T Rex had unleashed in the end bring liberation to the Koreans?

I hope that TR, Wilson, and Obama will forever be linked to Korea through their Nobel Peace Prize. Whereas TR played a small role in vanquishing the hopes of the Korean people in 1905 (small, I say, as by the time of the Portsmouth peace conference Japan had already defeated Russia and TR was merely raising Japan’s hand; nor did TR “give” Korea to Japan in return for the Philippines in July), Wilson at least gave hope in 1919 with his proclamation of the “right to self-determination.” I wish President Obama sooner than later takes a stand and give hope to the millions of suffering North Korean people.

By: Dan Ã“ C

Dan Ã“ C — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:30:47 +0000

Makes me wonder why they were invited by a government-run institution in the first place, really. Although I suppose they may well be quite talented at what they do, I find it hard to imagine they were under any illusions as to the content…

By: xyzzy

xyzzy — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:54:34 +0000

The “artists” in this case are essentially government employees, producing government works-for-hire, and they may qualify for sanctions in that capacity.

But I’m sure the official story is that they are independent artists who, of their own free will, masturbate over Kim Jong-Il for all their waking hours.

By: Joshua Stanton

Joshua Stanton — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:55:00 +0000

Ah, I see you’re raising a valid point — this would have become an exhibition of North Korean propaganda. I should have read Curtis’s post more carefully. That changes things some. On the one hand, I’m not worried that Australia will swoon for juche because of this. On the other hand, I’m more understanding about why the Australian government might question the artistic merits and take offense at the promotion of a repressive ideology. Thanks.

By: Dan Ã“ C

Dan Ã“ C — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:47:55 +0000

I’m curious about point #3. I hadn’t investigated the theme much but I was under the impression that arts in the DPRK are generally controlled by and produced for the state … yet this write-up on the Mansudae Art Studio describes the art produced as “social, political and historical” in content. Should I understand this to mean that they testify to the glorious victories of Juche, or — and just typing this makes me feel dumb — does there exist actual uncensored artistic expression in the DPRK?