Books from North Korea

I checked the latest "news" from North Korea, and two book publishing articles caught my attention.

"Complete Collection of Kim Il Sung's Works" Vol. 78 Off Press - Wow... 78 volumes? It seems this isn't all written material, as it includes transcriptions of what were no doubt many speeches he gave during his reign. Included are such speeches/essays as "The DPRK Represents Genuine People's Power and Is a Banner of the Unity and Solidarity of the Masses" and "Let Us Shatter Imperialist Moves towards Aggression and War and Safeguard Peace and Independence".

New Books Published - This article is just too funny not to provide to you in full. The choice of over-the-top language is just stunning.

The Pyongyang Publishing House has of late brought out new books. Among them are the books "Great Man and Music" and "Questions and Answers on Songun Politics" and the full-length novel "River Rimjin" (Part one "Woman of the North").

"Great Man and Music" gives an impressive description of the peerless greatness and immortal feats of General Secretary Kim Jong Il who has left footmarks of great leadership, accompanied by music.

"Questions and Answers on Songun Politics" gives a comprehensive account of the creation and development in depth of Songun politics, its validity and invincible vitality in the question-and-answer form.

The full-length novel "River Rimjin" (Part One "Woman of the North") portrays through a vivid artistic depiction a woman who happened to part with her husband during the Fatherland Liberation War. She, with her children, grows to be a full-fledged master of the country in the bosom of the DPRK and enjoys a worthy life and happiness, living stoutly with an ardent desire for the reunification of the country.

It is hard to imagine the sense of "awakening" that citizens of North Korea will feel once their long, cruel time living under communist dictatorship finally comes to an end.