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My colleague Marc Noland launched a "KCNA certifiable" designation that caught some flak. But it made me realize that we had not done a Not Satire post in a while. Thanks to an NKNews story (CNN picked it up too), we have an item that not only fits the bill but reveals something more serious going on in the wake of the now-likely execution of Hyon Yong Chol (see DailyNK coverage): the likely launch of an ideological rectification campaign.
On a visit to a terrapin farm, Kim Jong Un did the unusual of publicly upbraiding a work unit for not setting aside adequate time and space for the study of Kim Jong Il thought, and in particular for not following his instructions. Those instructions? To start farming lobster. We know, we know; in principle aquaculture could play a role in North Korea’s development. But apparently Kim Jong Un upbraided the unit for not being ready to contribute to the upcoming 70th anniversary of the KWP in October. Some Veuve Cliquot with that lobster? According to our calculations of the luxury goods trade, China is happy to oblige.
