Journalistic Absurdity of the Day

Yonhap News gives us this head-scratcher in the course of reporting on North Korea’s new demand for its missile launches not to affect the Kaesong Industrial Complex:

Nevertheless, the joint industrial complex has been a burden for the South Korean government as there are concerns that a portion of the wages paid to North Korean workers there could be used to develop missiles. (emphasis mine)

I’m in awe. Those people labor long hours in sweatshops for a pittance and still find the strength and riches to spend their free time ordering gyroscopes and thrust vectors online? I had no idea intercontinental rocket science was such a popular garage hobby for North Koreans.

Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok, Seoul’s highest official on North Korean affairs, said on Monday that “there was no way of knowing where the money that goes into North Korea (through inter-Korean economic projects) is used.”

OK, but shouldn’t the South Koreans at least ask those North Korean workers which of them is responsible for sneaking out and building missiles all night? Or would that violate some kind of “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy?

But he said the government had no plans to suspend the economic projects, saying it was unable to interfere with private business ventures at least for now.

Depending on which report you believe, that is. At least Minister Lee has his priorities straight, something that can also be said for anyone who allocates a significant portion of the national treasury to praise a dead god for granting them another year of famine, slavery, and disaster.