Yesterday I watched a National Geographic documentary on North Korea filmed undercover by an American reporter a few years ago. The reporter traveled with her camera crew as part of a medical mission led by an eye surgeon from Nepal. The doctor performed over one thousand cataract surgeries in ten days, giving sight back to many people.
Throughout the video, locals speak of Kim Jong Il and relate to him almost like a deity. When visiting the apartment of a blind woman, the woman reveals the hardest thing about being blind is not being able to see Kim Jong Il, the dear leader. The woman states, “my children and I live happily due to the honor of our Great leader so I want to see him even a glimpse of him, so I can thank him.”
The only pictures in her modest apartment are pictures of Kim Jong Il. When asked which picture is her favorite, her son-in-law answers all the pictures are their favorite. The cameraman is reminded by a government agent accompanying the crew to never take pictures which only capture part of the leader’s image. Earlier in the documentary he was threatened with explusion for having laid down on the ground to take a picture of an enormous statue of Kim Jong Il. The government agent explained he had shown great disrespect for having laid down in front of the Great General. Another government agent says almost in tears to the reporter, “If our nation and leader didn’t exist, we might as well be dead.”
When asked if the great leader could do anything wrong, the translator and government agents become confused. It seems they truly cannot understand the question. The possibility of wrongdoing by Kim Jong Il is incomprehensible.
What is most revealing about the relationship between North Koreans and their leader comes towards the end of the documentary when the doctor removes eye patches and patients regain their sight. Watch the video below starting on minute 41 and be amazed at their reaction. Kim Jong Il receives credit for all that happens, he seems to hold all being and all events in the palm of his hands.
Below are the words of some patients as soon as they recover their sight. The room becomes a charismatic prayer meeting praising and worshiping Kim Jong Il as one patient after another bows and raises his or her arms before the picture of the leader. The communist regime may have banned belief in the existence of God, but they have simply replaced Him with a human leader. Man’s natural yearning for God is somewhat satisfied with a deified human leader, but oh boy, will they be disappointed.
So, does North Korea mourn the death of a God or a General? He did not rise on the third day, so a General he remains.
It’s all because of the Great General! We must bow to our Great general for this!
Thank you Great General! I want to show my gratitude to our Great General.
Thank you very very much our Great General Kim Jong Il.
We praise you! We praise you!
Great General, I will work harder at the salt mines to get more salt to bring you more happiness.
Thank you!
How kind you are to hold an old woman like me in your arms. I swear that my children will be faithful to our Great Leader and Great General for generations to come!
Because you brought us the light and your greatness, I swear that I will serve you and be faithful for generations to come!
We praise you! We praise you!
Great General Kim John Il, we praise you!
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