Here is interesting anecdote if true from a comment made by a ROK top presidential aide to Kim Jong-un:
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is a heavy smoker. But in a country where making a suggestion to the young dictator of anything against his will is considered a blasphemy that deserves heavy punishment, nobody would put one’s life at risk to ask him to quit smoking. This Dec. 12, 2012 file photo shows Kim puffing a cigarette at the satellite control center in Pyongyang. / Korea Times file
Top presidential aide Chung Eui-yong advised North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to stop smoking during a dinner Kim hosted for Chung visiting Pyongyang as President Moon Jae-in’s top envoy early last month.
Chung’s advice made the atmosphere at the head table in the banquet tense at least for a moment when the face of Kim Yong-chul, the North’s top intelligence officer, hardened in displeasure by Chung’s uncalled-for action.
It was Ri Sol-ju, the North’s first lady, who cheerfully clapped her hands and said, “He doesn’t listen when I ask him to quit smoking.” That defused the tension. The young leader himself did not mind Chung’s behavior.
Japan’s Asahi Shimbun reported this account recently, quoting knowledgeable sources, about what happened at the March 5 banquet. [Korea Times]
You can read more at the link, but it was a good catch by Ri Sol-ju to break the tension with her comment. The way I look at it let Kim Jong-un smoke as well as eat away as much as he wants. His poor health may be what ultimately drives him out of power.
dude will be the first South Korea executed when moon hands the country over…
1sgtret
6 years ago
He missed his opportunity. He should have encouraged Mr. Kim to smoke more, tell him that smoking makes him look slimmer and wiser.
Doug
6 years ago
I think the low life dictator should smoke more communist S O B.
JoeC
6 years ago
BTW, for anyone who hasn’t been to Korea in a while with no SOFA commissary or BX privileges and smokes, buying off the local economy may be what gets you to quit.
While many countries require warning messages on their packs, Korea requires their packs to be covered with images of some of the most gross medical damage to people you never want to see which are supposed to be the results of smoking.
Even when I go into a convenience store to purchase food I do all I can to avoid looking at the cigarette display behind the counter or it will put me off eating.
J6Junkie
6 years ago
Just buy them dutyfree JoeC. None of that socialist crap on there.
ChickenHead
6 years ago
JoeC, you squeamish little thing!
I go to the convenience store specifically to look at the cigarettes.
Who doesn’t like to fap to a little gore porn in front of a horrified middle-aged woman?
Flyingsword
6 years ago
Due to the cigarette packs, there is a booming industry for cigarette cases in Korea.
dude will be the first South Korea executed when moon hands the country over…
He missed his opportunity. He should have encouraged Mr. Kim to smoke more, tell him that smoking makes him look slimmer and wiser.
I think the low life dictator should smoke more communist S O B.
BTW, for anyone who hasn’t been to Korea in a while with no SOFA commissary or BX privileges and smokes, buying off the local economy may be what gets you to quit.
While many countries require warning messages on their packs, Korea requires their packs to be covered with images of some of the most gross medical damage to people you never want to see which are supposed to be the results of smoking.
Even when I go into a convenience store to purchase food I do all I can to avoid looking at the cigarette display behind the counter or it will put me off eating.
Just buy them dutyfree JoeC. None of that socialist crap on there.
JoeC, you squeamish little thing!
I go to the convenience store specifically to look at the cigarettes.
Who doesn’t like to fap to a little gore porn in front of a horrified middle-aged woman?
Due to the cigarette packs, there is a booming industry for cigarette cases in Korea.