http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/kim-jong-un-in-poor-health-north-korean-tv-acknowledges/article20799127/
QuoteKim Jong-un in poor health, North Korean TV acknowledges
Young North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is suffering from "discomfort," state media has said in the first official acknowledgement of ill health after a prolonged period out of the public eye.
Kim, 31, who is frequently the centrepiece of the isolated country's propaganda, has not been photographed by state media since appearing at a concert alongside his wife on Sept. 3, fuelling speculation he is suffering from bad health.
He had been seen walking with a limp since an event with key officials in July and in a pre-recorded documentary broadcast by state media on Thursday appeared to have difficulty walking.
"The wealth and prosperity of our socialism is thanks to the painstaking efforts of our marshal, who keeps lighting the path for the people, like the flicker of a flame, despite suffering discomfort," a voice over for the hour-long documentary said.
The documentary was followed by a pre-recorded broadcast of a North Korean Supreme People's Assembly meeting from which Kim was notably absent.
Kim has rapidly gained weight since coming to power after his father died of a heart attack in 2011, photos released by state media show.
North Korea observers speculate Kim's weight and family background may have contributed to his condition.
"Based on his gait, it appears he has gout – something [due to] diet and genetic predisposition that has affected other members of the Kim family," said Michael Madden, an expert on the North Korean leadership and contributor to the 38 North website.
May the Times obituary editor suddenly have new business.
Has he: retired to his dacha
Eh, if he dies then it's unclear who would take control. Probably someone from the military. Whoever it would be they would probably have to sink a ROK ship or do something equally dumb to demonstrate what a hardass they are. I'm relatively sure the South would retaliate this time.
Wouldn't be surprised he is being poisoned by his politburo. He seems like a vicious but incompetent little shit. Such combination does not last long, usually.
Incompetent? Hardly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f37K0hIv3zk&index=1&list=PLuKg-WhduhklQR2uqYCE_aSZgfJLsy4fx (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f37K0hIv3zk&index=1&list=PLuKg-WhduhklQR2uqYCE_aSZgfJLsy4fx)
Maybe he wants to be more like his dad, Kim Jong Ill
I'll get my coat...
He has gout? Cut down on the foie gras, fat boy.
Quote from: derspiess on September 26, 2014, 09:46:26 AM
He has gout? Cut down on the foie gras, fat boy.
The culprit seems to be cheese, though:
QuoteKim Jong-un has gained some weight recently, and many believe the change can be attributed to his love of cheese.
It was revealed last April that Jong-un developed an obsession with cheese as a student in Switzerland.
He loves Swiss cheese so much that he sent a team of North Korean food experts to France to learn how to make it.
The three specialists were supposed to spend several months at France's National Dairy Industry College, according to the Mirror, but the institution rejected their stay.
Now, he insists on importing the cheese in bulk, even under Western sanctions.
QuoteHe loves Swiss cheese so much that he sent a team of North Korean food experts to France to learn how to make it.
Wouldn't Switzerland be the more obvious choice to learn about Swiss cheese? :hmm:
Quote from: The Larch on September 26, 2014, 10:04:11 AM
Quote from: derspiess on September 26, 2014, 09:46:26 AM
He has gout? Cut down on the foie gras, fat boy.
The culprit seems to be cheese, though:
QuoteKim Jong-un has gained some weight recently, and many believe the change can be attributed to his love of cheese.
It was revealed last April that Jong-un developed an obsession with cheese as a student in Switzerland.
He loves Swiss cheese so much that he sent a team of North Korean food experts to France to learn how to make it.
The three specialists were supposed to spend several months at France's National Dairy Industry College, according to the Mirror, but the institution rejected their stay.
Now, he insists on importing the cheese in bulk, even under Western sanctions.
Shit, in that case, send him all the cheese he wants. A hundred delicious, irresistable varieties. :lol:
How can you guys be sure it's AIDS?
Quote from: Zanza on September 26, 2014, 10:09:34 AM
Wouldn't Switzerland be the more obvious choice to learn about Swiss cheese? :hmm:
They make a bunch in France too.
BTW, anyone know what Swiss cheese is called in Switzerland? It's called Emmental in France.
Probably Emmentaler, as this is the common name of the cheese in German. After the Emmental where it originates. Also, there's more than one type of cheese coming from Switzerland. :P
At my Kroger the fancier version of Swiss cheese has Emmentaler on the label. I like to order it by that name to impress all around me.
How can Emmentaler be considered fancy? It's probably the second most common cheese here after Gouda.
Quote from: Zanza on September 26, 2014, 02:16:55 PM
How can Emmentaler be considered fancy? It's probably the second most common cheese here after Gouda.
This. Though Edamer might be in contention.
Quote from: Zanza on September 26, 2014, 02:16:55 PM
How can Emmentaler be considered fancy? It's probably the second most common cheese here after Gouda.
I was being a little facetious with "fancy". The more common stuff here just says "SWISS CHEESE" on the label or wrapping or whatever.
Doesn't sound very effective.
Quote from: Zanza on September 26, 2014, 02:16:55 PM
How can Emmentaler be considered fancy? It's probably the second most common cheese here after Gouda.
You Euro balls of light are just plain more sophisticated than we are. Most common form of cheese here is probably processed, followed by cheddar.
Emmental and Gouda is certainly available here, but are "premium" cheeses at higher prices.
But at least you guys have Poutine. :(
But yeah, Europe has many good cheese makers, and the travel distances are much shorter, so most supermarkets will have a decent range of products.
My convenience store in the frozen north features a plethora of cheeses.
Quote from: Syt on September 26, 2014, 02:27:26 PM
But at least you guys have Poutine. :(
I think I've told this story before, but what the heck.
I was in Whitehorse. We had a few different lawyers from Quebec at our office at the time. The local Francophone association was putting on a poutine night, complete with cheese curds from Quebec. The Quebecois were seriously excited about this, and they dragged me along. I'd never had poutine before.
My response was - it's fries and gravy... with cheese. What exactly is so exciting about this?
Oh, also Canada has big tariffs on imported cheese, which also cuts down on fancy cheeses coming in. :(
Quote from: Barrister on September 26, 2014, 02:31:44 PM
Oh, also Canada has big tariffs on imported cheese, which also cuts down on fancy cheeses coming in. :(
Yeah, I was gonna say that having a common market in Europe also helps a lot.
Most common deli-type cheese here by far is: American. Swiss would probably be second. Then you have (in no particular order) gouda, muenster, provolone, colby, pepper jack, and havarti among others.
Quote from: Syt on September 26, 2014, 02:28:35 PM
But yeah, Europe has many good cheese makers, and the travel distances are much shorter, so most supermarkets will have a decent range of products.
Most of supermarkets also have a range, it's just as was said, that things that are not considered "standard" cheeses here are generally in a special section of "fancy" cheese.
Quote from: derspiess on September 26, 2014, 02:33:40 PM
Most common deli-type cheese here by far is: American. Swiss would probably be second. Then you have (in no particular order) gouda, muenster, provolone, colby, pepper jack, and havarti among others.
Cheddar?
Doh, yeah cheddar. Frau Spiess never buys it so I tend to forget it.
Quote from: derspiess on September 26, 2014, 02:43:46 PM
Doh, yeah cheddar. Frau Spiess never buys it so I tend to forget it.
How can you live in a world without cheddar. :hmm:
Quote from: mongers on September 26, 2014, 03:10:33 PM
Quote from: derspiess on September 26, 2014, 02:43:46 PM
Doh, yeah cheddar. Frau Spiess never buys it so I tend to forget it.
How can you live in a world without cheddar. :hmm:
Yeah doesn't seem like a world worth living in.
Quote from: The Brain on September 26, 2014, 12:29:22 PM
How can you guys be sure it's AIDS?
Emmentalery, my dear Watson.
:Embarrass:
:Embarrass:
Quote from: mongers on September 26, 2014, 03:10:33 PM
Quote from: derspiess on September 26, 2014, 02:43:46 PM
Doh, yeah cheddar. Frau Spiess never buys it so I tend to forget it.
How can you live in a world without cheddar. :hmm:
Ask Argies. They hate the stuff.
My theory is that one B-2 on a night stealth mission could drop enough Swiss Cheese on North Korea to kill Kim within the year. I think it is a theory worth testing.
Quote from: grumbler on September 26, 2014, 04:10:39 PM
My theory is that one B-2 on a night stealth mission could drop enough Swiss Cheese on North Korea to kill Kim within the year. I think it is a theory worth testing.
First you'd need to OK it with the Big Cheese.
One article I ran across earlier today mentioned he's getting fatter on purpose, to better emulate his dad & granddad. Plus apparently looking fat is a positive image in North Korea. I would think the starving millions would be resentful of an overstuffed leader, but that's my non-Juche mind I guess.
Quote from: Barrister on September 26, 2014, 02:24:21 PM
You Euro balls of light are just plain more sophisticated than we are. Most common form of cheese here is probably processed, followed by cheddar.
Emmental and Gouda is certainly available here, but are "premium" cheeses at higher prices.
Canada seems to have some stupid rules about it. I recall seeing some companies complaining about it. Groceries in the US seem to be going all-out with hundreds of cheeses from everywhere in the last decade or so. I think Trader Joe's started it.
Edit: It was Kerrygold complaining they couldn't sell their butter in Canada IIRC.
I just wish we could figure out how to make cheese in the US as good as European cheese and at a lower price. We've done it with beer.
Quote from: derspiess on September 26, 2014, 04:26:03 PM
I just wish we could figure out how to make cheese in the US as good as European cheese and at a lower price. We've done it with beer.
Can't do it without changing the FDA rule that all cheese has to be made with homogenized milk.
Let's do it then. WTF
OK!
Though FWIW I'm okay with the maggot cheese being banned.
Quote from: derspiess on September 26, 2014, 04:30:40 PM
Though FWIW I'm okay with the maggot cheese being banned.
You mean that stuff from Sardinia? :yuk:
I can't imagine even trying that.
mongers is back to his old mongering ways I see. :ph34r:
Quote from: Syt on September 26, 2014, 02:28:35 PM
But yeah, Europe has many good cheese makers, and the travel distances are much shorter, so most supermarkets will have a decent range of products.
Also we aren't savages about pasteurisation :bleeding:
Plus whenever there's a trade tiff between the EU and the US the US targets luxury goods (reasonably enough) and it often hits cheeses making them ridiculously expensive.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 26, 2014, 04:53:43 PM
mongers is back to his old mongering ways I see. :ph34r:
No I just had a senior moment, and temporarily confused homogenized with pasteurized.
Annoyingly it's reminded me of just how hard it is go get non-homogenized milk nowadays. :(
Its down to cheese ey?
I was just pondering about this if it was related to his weight. Given the apparent body modification he went through to look more like his grandad and for an east asian to be that big is like a white person being four or five times as big.
I'm unsure on whether it would be such a good thing if he died.
There's enough going on in the world right now without Korea getting messy too.
Koreans can get pretty big.
Quote from: Barrister on September 26, 2014, 02:31:44 PM
Oh, also Canada has big tariffs on imported cheese, which also cuts down on fancy cheeses coming in. :(
We actually have a decent variety of domestically produced fancy cheeses. Not quite the variety you find in Europe, but decent nonetheless.
Quote from: Barrister on September 26, 2014, 02:24:21 PM
You Euro balls of light are just plain more sophisticated than we are. Most common form of cheese here is probably processed, followed by cheddar.
Emmental and Gouda is certainly available here, but are "premium" cheeses at higher prices.
Black Diamond cheddar is sold as a fancy cheese down here.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 26, 2014, 12:32:01 PM
Quote from: Zanza on September 26, 2014, 10:09:34 AM
Wouldn't Switzerland be the more obvious choice to learn about Swiss cheese? :hmm:
They make a bunch in France too.
BTW, anyone know what Swiss cheese is called in Switzerland? It's called Emmental in France.
Swiss cheese is way too vague. Cheese with holes? Swiss emmental has it, like French gruyère unlike Swiss gruyère.
More likely to be called gruyère in France than emmental, which is more often than not associated with Switzerland nowadays. Both used to be confused anyways. But then, only these two countries have the right to use gruyère for cheese produced under specific guidelines. If this sounds a bit unclear, think of Emmental as more Swiss and Gruyère as both Swiss and French.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 28, 2014, 02:03:31 PM
Koreans can get pretty big.
Margaret Cho agrees.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimgc.allpostersimages.com%2Fimages%2FP-473-488-90%2F26%2F2685%2F7OXUD00Z%2Fposters%2Fsartore-stancampiano-a-west-indian-manatee-eats-a-carrot.jpg&hash=08215b8d701e065ba59170f453abce64b64cf4fa)
Current rumour in the Western press is that Kim broke both of his ankles: http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/09/30/north-korean-leader-kim-jong-uns-mystery-illness-actually-two-broken-ankles-newspaper-says/
He's so fat....
The Chinese rumour mill apparently has a rumour going that he's been arrested by another faction, which could be quite something if true.
Kim Jong Un so fat that when he sit around house, he sit AROUND house.
Kim Jong Un so fat that when he broke his ankles, gravy pour out.
Kim Jong Un so fat that when he fell over, Seoul have earthquake.
Kim Jong Un so fat that his wife rolled him to cabinet meeting.
Kim Jong Un so fat that he fat. In fucking North Korea.
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 28, 2014, 06:30:05 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 28, 2014, 02:03:31 PM
Koreans can get pretty big.
Margaret Cho agrees.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimgc.allpostersimages.com%2Fimages%2FP-473-488-90%2F26%2F2685%2F7OXUD00Z%2Fposters%2Fsartore-stancampiano-a-west-indian-manatee-eats-a-carrot.jpg&hash=08215b8d701e065ba59170f453abce64b64cf4fa)
:lol:
hmm...so mutterings suggest it may not be case of Kim merely being ill but of the government having decided to stop taking orders from him. What has happened to Kim though...hmm...I guess they would still want him to be their puppet ruler but perhaps he isn't playing along.
Quote from: Tyr on October 02, 2014, 09:04:25 PM
hmm...so mutterings suggest it may not be case of Kim merely being ill but of the government having decided to stop taking orders from him. What has happened to Kim though...hmm...I guess they would still want him to be their puppet ruler but perhaps he isn't playing along.
Where are you hearing that?
Like I said, a few days ago the Chinese rumour mill had that theory going. I wonder where it filtered out to, or whether it's a different rumour.
Random al jazeera talking head.
Quote from: Tyr on October 03, 2014, 01:30:43 PM
Random al jazeera talking head.
Was it still on the body?
Quote
North and South Korea 'agree to talks'
North and South Korea have agreed to resume formal high-level talks that had effectively been suspended since February, reports from South Korea say.
The agreement came during a surprise visit to South Korea by North Korean officials for the closing ceremony of the Asian Games.
The visit was led by two top-ranking North Korean officials seen as close aides to leader Kim Jong-un.
Both sides were said to have agreed to meet again within the next few weeks.
Hwang Pyong-so, seen as the second-most powerful man in North Korea, held talks with Ryoo Kihl-jae, the South's reunification minister, on Saturday after flying to Incheon to attend the sporting event.
...
Full article here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-29489134 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-29489134)
:hmm:
All very weird so par for the course with North Korea.
When I first saw the story I thought there'd been some sort of coup/power struggle and they were laying the groundwork for killing him off or putting him under house arrest. But then to lose one dear leader's unfortunate, to lose two looks careless.
On the other hand, if there'd been something like that, would a group of senior officers really be likely to go to Seoul?
:mellow: No idea what's happening :mellow:
I did love the Onion's take on it though 'Severely obese, diabetic, gout-ridden Kim Jong-Un healthiest person in North Korea'.
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 04, 2014, 07:04:46 AM
All very weird so par for the course with North Korea.
When I first saw the story I thought there'd been some sort of coup/power struggle and they were laying the groundwork for killing him off or putting him under house arrest. But then to lose one dear leader's unfortunate, to lose two looks careless.
On the other hand, if there'd been something like that, would a group of senior officers really be likely to go to Seoul?
:mellow: No idea what's happening :mellow:
I did love the Onion's take on it though 'Severely obese, diabetic, gout-ridden Kim Jong-Un healthiest person in North Korea'.
Maybe the leaders aren't as smart as we give them credit bs like the soviets with the us don't really believe that South Korea actually is what it seems to be? That there has to be some sort of secretive regime pulling all the strings... And thus it is credible the south would agree to help their coup
Half a year ago I finished a script that I'm trying to get produced with an alt-reality where both Koreas have merged again, and it's supposed to be a big reveal; I will be pissed off if it happens for real.
The Chinese rumour mill - dateline yesterday: Kim Jong Un under house arrest.
Sweden's new Socialist government is shutting down the country, Commie style. They literally think that profit is bad and plan to legislate against it. I'M NOT MAKING THIS SHIT UP
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/kim-jong-uns-little-sister-kim-yo-jong-running-north-n220111
LOL LIL KIM
Quote from: The Brain on October 07, 2014, 01:11:03 PM
Sweden's new Socialist government is shutting down the country, Commie style. They literally think that profit is bad and plan to legislate against it. I'M NOT MAKING THIS SHIT UP
:rolleyes:
Rumours of possible regime change have now picked up by Western media: http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/10/08/from-lockdowns-to-an-absent-dictator-seven-reasons-north-korea-could-be-going-through-a-regime-change/
They certainly do seem to be making a lot of conciliatory gestures lately, and they don't want anything more than usual :hmm:
It's hard to believe that someone in position of power in a country like North Korea would allow rumors of his weakness to spread. Such perceptions tend to become reality rather suddenly.
Remember Jong-Il's oldest son? The one who got caught sneaking into Japan, allegedly to go to Disneyland with his family?
Apparently he has a son (studying in Bosnia), but the name of Han-Sol.
Quote from: Jacob on October 08, 2014, 05:53:28 PM
Remember Jong-Il's oldest son? The one who got caught sneaking into Japan, allegedly to go to Disneyland with his family?
Apparently he has a son (studying in Bosnia), but the name of Han-Sol.
I thought the eldest son was the gay one.
Quote from: Jacob on October 08, 2014, 05:53:28 PM
Remember Jong-Il's oldest son? The one who got caught sneaking into Japan, allegedly to go to Disneyland with his family?
Apparently he has a son (studying in Bosnia), but the name of Han-Sol.
Gre-Doh shot first
I think I wasted that joke on this crowd.
Try a Pol Pot joke. Folks here eat those up.
You see the shot, you take the shot, dammit.
Han-Sol is studying in Bosnia? Where's Pine-Sol studying?
See? Biscuit in the basket.
:lol:
I knew you guys would appreciate that one :)
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 08, 2014, 08:58:57 PM
Where's Pine-Sol studying?
Mexico City. She is saving up for the coyote to bring her into the US.
I miss my cleaning lady. I can't get the image of her cleaning for somebody else right at this very moment out of my head.
You keep a can of Lemon Pledge on your dresser as a memento, don't you?
:cry:
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 10, 2014, 12:01:13 PM
I miss my cleaning lady. I can't get the image of her cleaning for somebody else right at this very moment out of my head.
What happen?
Chinese rumours now say: Kim Jong-un is dying.
Whether it's true or not, that can't be a pleasant rumour to have circulating when you're the head of a ruthless, totalitarian state and you are unable to be seen in public.
Quote from: Jacob on October 10, 2014, 12:53:39 PM
Chinese rumours now say: Kim Jong-un is dying.
Whether it's true or not, that can't be a pleasant rumour to have circulating when you're the head of a ruthless, totalitarian state and you are unable to be seen in public.
Well, between this and Russia getting cash strapped, it seems like this is the week of bad news. And on top of that they gave the Nobel Peace Prize to Malala.
So I guess this means he'll be out of the running for next year's Peace Prize. Shame.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on October 10, 2014, 12:56:18 PM
So I guess this means he'll be out of the running for next year's Peace Prize. Shame.
I find this type of snarky dismissive bitchiness pretty shitty.
Quote from: garbon on October 10, 2014, 02:38:08 PM
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on October 10, 2014, 12:56:18 PM
So I guess this means he'll be out of the running for next year's Peace Prize. Shame.
I find this type of snarky dismissive bitchiness pretty shitty.
You hate it when people muscle in on your niche, eh?
Quote from: Jacob on October 10, 2014, 05:03:38 PM
Quote from: garbon on October 10, 2014, 02:38:08 PM
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on October 10, 2014, 12:56:18 PM
So I guess this means he'll be out of the running for next year's Peace Prize. Shame.
I find this type of snarky dismissive bitchiness pretty shitty.
You hate it when people muscle in on your niche, eh?
I thought it would be fun and snarky to re-use Marti's post. :)
Quote from: garbon on October 10, 2014, 05:09:10 PM
Quote from: Jacob on October 10, 2014, 05:03:38 PM
Quote from: garbon on October 10, 2014, 02:38:08 PM
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on October 10, 2014, 12:56:18 PM
So I guess this means he'll be out of the running for next year's Peace Prize. Shame.
I find this type of snarky dismissive bitchiness pretty shitty.
You hate it when people muscle in on your niche, eh?
I thought it would be fun and snarky to re-use Marti's post. :)
It was. It's the kind of bitchiness I approve of :)
He reappears:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbcimg.co.uk%2Fmedia%2Fimages%2F78202000%2Fjpg%2F_78202623_kim-stick.jpg&hash=1a7f9489404087a7307380b7a8d791f93eef3440)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbcimg.co.uk%2Fmedia%2Fimages%2F78202000%2Fjpg%2F_78202624_sitkcy.jpg&hash=42f161472caa9e2ae6b078f462199822d01c5662)
Full article here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-29608096 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-29608096)
He who scribbles least furiously gets purged?
A fascinating glimpse at the world class interior decorating techniques in the workers' paradise.
There's a reason that sofa is flesh-colored.
Kim looks good, though. Shaved off a few pounds, probably worked on that gout. He'll be ready for a pick-up with the Worm anytime.
Quote from: DGuller on October 13, 2014, 08:42:48 PM
Quote from: Legbiter on October 13, 2014, 08:00:19 PM
He who scribbles least furiously gets purged?
:XD:
That's probably close to the truth. They are truly blessed to have a dear leader who is wise enough to give them all that guidance despite his youth and lack of experience in any specific thing.
Well that was dissapointing
Der Postillon:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-JoFs9cUYpqA%2FVD0S2X53oeI%2FAAAAAAAAb94%2FxsE-nRUNFQA%2Fs1600%2Fkim5.jpg&hash=1547761bf1168226fb16031a97e600b7a9652753)
"Kim-Jong Un returns to public with mysterious strings attached to his arms and legs. Also, puppeteers from famous German puppet stage have disappeared."
Why is he wearing a dress in the second picture?
I love their hats, they're even better than the Russians. They're one bunch of grapes away from being Carmen Miranda.
You can smuggle a buttload of iPhones from China in one of those hats.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 14, 2014, 01:03:44 PM
I love their hats, they're even better than the Russians. They're one bunch of grapes away from being Carmen Miranda.
:lol:
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 13, 2014, 08:05:09 PM
There's a reason that sofa is flesh-colored.
Kim looks good, though. Shaved off a few pounds, probably worked on that gout. He'll be ready for a pick-up with the Worm anytime.
A can of pie cherries would take care of that gout.