How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Panel)
Quote #1
My hotel is on a small island, not far from downtown. (1.35)
How symbolic. Not only is Guy isolated from the rest of the citizenry by having to be accompanied by a guide the whole time, but his hotel is also on a literal island.
Quote #2
North Korea is the world’s most isolated country. Foreigners trickle in. There’s no Internet. There are no cafes. In fact, there’s no entertainment. (1.37)
We don’t have much to add to this quote other than to say we’re glad we’re not there. It sounds like a miserable existence. Beyond that, though: we can understand why North Korea won’t let foreigners in. We can understand why there’s no Internet. There are no cafes probably because Dear Leader doesn’t want people talking to each other. But why is there no entertainment? What purpose do you think that serves?
Quote #3
No one lingers in the streets. Everyone has somewhere to be, something to do. (2.44)
It’s a lonely feeling when no one is just hanging out. Maybe they’re all off having a party together and we’re not invited... Just kidding. That’s totally not happening.
Quote #4
The benefit of foreigners is they don’t speak Korean, preventing contact with the locals. (3.41)
It looks like the only foreigners North Korea wants to let in are those who don’t speak Korean. The more contact North Koreans have with the outside world, the more they might start to realize how much Dear Leader is lying to them.
Quote #5
It was during these long walks that I was able to talk more freely with the only North Koreans I was authorized to associate with. (4.54)
It’s strange to be “authorized to associate” with certain people. How weird must it be to visit a foreign country and not even be able to strike up a conversation with whomever you want? Can you even trust the people you’re authorized to speak with? We seriously doubt it.
Quote #6
Before going into the animators’ room, we take off our shoes. Korea has contributed a lot to Japanese culture. (5.25)
Don’t even get us started on Japanese-Korean relations. We’ll just say that you can bet any and all contributions Korea made to Japanese culture did not come from post-1948 North Korea. What’s interesting is that North Korea is trying to claim that they contributed anything cultural to anyone, ever. Sorry, North Korea. We’re not convinced.
Quote #7
One thing that strikes you after weeks of looking at the immaculate streets of Pyongyang is the complete absence of handicapped people. (9.46)
This is pretty frightening. Even scarier is Mr. Kyu’s response that disabled people don’t exist. Where the heck do they keep them? Do they keep them?
Quote #8
You find out more about the country from outside than inside. People here don’t even know their dear leader has children. (9.63)
Guy makes a good point here about how valuable it is to get an outside perspective on any situation, whether it’s personal or political. Someone (or something, like a country) that keeps to itself all the time will never know who he or she is.
Quote #9
I get the feeling there won’t be a taekwondo demonstration: there isn’t a single athlete in sight. (9.82)
North Korea might be notoriously reclusive, but it does bring some athletes out around Olympic time. Where do you think they’re hiding them until then? And why do you think North Korea even bothers sending athletes to the Olympics if it hates the rest of the world so much? Is it trying to prove how great it is through athletic competition?
Quote #10
I’m glad to know his drawing skills let him leave his remote village to make a better life for himself and his family. (10.44)
It seems that a big goal for the people of North Korea is to find a way to reduce their isolation as much as possible. The only way to do it is through work, but does it really pay off? Are they any less isolated in Pyongyang than they were in their villages?