Kim Jong Il, Global Fashion God

kji-jumpsuit.jpgIt’s moments like this when I most suspect that the people who write North Korea’s propaganda aren’t the hacks we’ve thought them to be, but are actually subtle, subversive, and satirical.

Uriminzokkiri, quoting an article in communist party newspaper Rodong Sinmun, said the modest-looking suits have gripped people’s imagination and become a global vogue.

“The reason is that the august image of the Great General, who is always wearing the modest suit while working, leaves a deep impression on people’s mind in the world,” it said. “To sum it up, that is because his image as a great man is so outstanding.”

The article quoted an unidentified French fashion expert as saying world fashion follows Kim Jong-Il’s style. “Kim Jong-Il mode which is now spreading expeditiously worldwide is something unprecedented in the world’s history,” the stylist was quoted as saying. [AFP]

Not even North Korean propagandists could possibly be this lacking in self-awareness. Hat tip.

15 Responses

  1. That my friend has got to be the best posting yet. I don’t know about others, but I was truly floored at your own and better “subtle, subversive” satire. Yes, even a North Korean propagandist would know how easy it is to manipulate a French “ar-tist” blowhard….

  2. OP:

    The article quoted an unidentified French fashion expert as saying world fashion follows Kim Jong-Il’s style.

    A couple of my uncles follow Kim Jong-il’s style.

  3. Not even North Korean propagandists could possibly be this lacking in self-awareness.

    Thank you. I’ve been trying to make that point for months. These people are not dummies. I personally witnessed the same individuals who were clamoring for “Saddam! Saddam! Saddam!” rip his images down with their bare hands as soon as the first tank crossed the Kuwaiti berm.

    North Koreans are brain washed, but there is a brain there.

  4. I tried but failed to find and buy a suit like that during a trip to Pyongyang in 2001.

  5. I’m pretty sure you can find the top and bottom — separately — at either Tongdaemun or Namdaemun.

  6. i want a Pyongyang traffic girl uniform. Will probably need alterations in the bust and hips. : )

  7. hmmm… We (or at least I) haven’t seen any pics of Sonagi (for all I know you guys are tight irl), so I couldn’t say whether it would be worth seeing her in the traffic girl uniform (though a little curvature sounds like a nice change if its jjuk jjuk bbang bbang style).

    But, as long as we’re talking about things we’d like to see here, I have to say I think we need to organize a sporting boxing match between you and KCJ. You guys need to just let some of that stress out. Maybe a charity match to fund more scholarly research on the impact of certain recent border crossings?

  8. Nah, both of us have grown up with Christian backgrounds, with KCJ being a devout Christian who no doubt would not make a good fighter because of a propensity to keep turning various cheeks. I grew up learning that violence was never a way to solve anything, that it only begets more violence, resulting in an endless cycle which is the very reason Jesus proscribed it. But I never listened, so I’d sucker punch him, and he’d be down before the announcer got done announcing the start of the fight. That would be boring.

    As for Sonagi, I’m just picturing an attractively pale Irishwoman in the range between Allison Hannigan and Nicole Kidman.

  9. KCJ being a devout Christian who no doubt would not make a good fighter because of a propensity to keep turning various cheeks.

    LOL! I am a professional Soldier, Paratrooper, combat veteran, and expert marksman. King David was devout, too, and he cut off Goliath’s head. 😉

  10. The tailor at the Yanggakdo hotel can do up a KJI suit in a couple days. The workmanship and fitting is very good. It’s not something I could bring myself to do but I know a couple of people who did. The shop could probably do a traffic girl uniform too but for me I would be worried about bag inspection on the way out.

  11. I wouldn’t be suprised if the suckers on Alejandro’s treasure hunt all end up buying such lousy pieces of cloth. Curtis and Dr. Doctor probably also have one as it’s probably group pressure which makes the loonies all buy muppet outfits. Back in the US they figure it’s probably a little bit rich to frequent to local Walmart with such clown’s dress.