North Korean travel diary

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Luise Rinser's North Korean Travel Diary , published in paperback in 1981, is a travelogue based on a trip to North Korea in 1980. The updated edition of 1983 is based on two further trips in 1981 and 1982. In 1986 a sixth, also updated edition appeared.

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The author describes the strictly isolated country as “ socialism with a human face ”. There is no alienation, crime or poverty in North Korea . The people are solidary, simple, humble and good. Society is a harmonious, conflict-free whole.

Despite initial doubts expressed, she follows the description of her North Korean travel companion, according to which there are no prisons in the country, but only "education houses" without window bars or locked doors, in which the inmates themselves determine the length of their stay. Murder is an unknown crime in the Far Eastern country, there are no political prisoners.

The author describes the supreme ruler Kim Il-sung as a wise, humble, benevolent and fatherly statesman. According to Rinser, the personality cult around the posthumously appointed “President for Eternity”, unmatched worldwide , is based solely on the wishes of the people. Rinser defends the dynastic succession to the designated successor Kim Jong-il by stating that he has actually achieved something important for the country and is therefore simply the most capable.

The author is particularly impressed by the strict “socialist morals” of the North Koreans. She strongly condemns Western "decadence" and especially sexual permissiveness. The reason for this gives her the encounter with a group of Soviet workers. A female worker sunbathing bare-breasted on the beach of a lake appears as a representation of western depravity, which has already gripped the Soviet Union . Your North Korean companions are deeply disturbed by the sight.

literature

  • Luise Rinser: North Korean travel diary . Fischer-Taschenbuch-Verlag, Frankfurt am Main 1986, ISBN 3-596-24233-9 .

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