kim jong il
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‘Democracy Now!’: The Koreas of the Future

Dec 21, 2011
As Amy Goodman points out in this report from Tuesday's edition of "Democracy Now!," North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's death came as a surprise to the U.S., which also underscores a more general lack of knowledge in America about either of the Koreas. Fortunately, she brings in some experts on the region to bring us up to speed.

Grieving for the Dear Leader

Dec 20, 2011
Since North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il's death last weekend, images of his countrymen grieving en masse have passed through the country's ironclad borders to the outside world, provoking a range of reactions -- incredulity and puzzlement among them. So what's the story behind the weeping and gnashing of teeth?

Kim Jong Il Is Dead

Dec 19, 2011
North Korea's current dictator has died. State television gives the cause of death as -- and this is not a joke -- exhaustion from working too hard. Kim succeeded his father in 1994 and has indicated that his third son is to take over the responsibility of oppressing the North Korean people.State television gives the cause of death as—and this is not a joke—exhaustion from working too hard.

Why Can’t We Be Friends

Jan 1, 2010
2010 might already be looking up. North Korea has sent the U.S. a New Year's message calling for an end to hostility in relations between the two countries and declaring that Pyongyang is committed to making the Korean peninsula nuclear-free.

North Korea Bows to the South’s Fallen Pioneer

Aug 19, 2009
Did Bill Clinton shake something loose during his recent visit to Pyongyang? No, Kim Jong Il's overtures to his southern neighbors this week are the legacy of Kim Dae-jung, the former president and first modern South Korean leader to visit the North. Kim died Tuesday. He survived political persecution and attempted assassination to cross the neutral zone and step into history.