Over the past week, there have been rumors surfacing around the internet and various news platforms that the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea (DPRK), Kim Jong Un, is ailing and in bad health. Earlier this month, sources from inside North Korea reported that the leader underwent cardiovascular surgery on April 12th. However, three days after this surgery, Kim Jong Un was nowhere to be seen at an event that honored his deceased grandfather. His absence raises questions, as this event was one of the most important North Korean holidays. According to this same source, he has completely disappeared from the public eye since the surgery, which may indicate that something may have gone wrong. An unnamed United States official said the same, as a CNN report cited him saying that Kim Jong Un was in grave danger. However, the South Korean Presidential Office says otherwise. When asked questions regarding the Supreme Leader, they commented, “We confirm that Chairman Kim Jong Un is currently touring provincial areas with his close aides and we do not detect evidence to support speculation about his ill health”. In other words, they are saying that Kim Jong Un is still active and his surgery has not debilitated him. The president of the United States has also commented on the matter, and he said that he believed the sources from North Korea were incorrect. Clearly, there have been varying views on what condition Kim Jong Un may be in, and it's pretty hard to tell which ones are right and which are wrong. This is largely due to the fact that North Korea is an isolated nation-state under a dictatorship, and rarely reveals anything to the outside world. Even amid this Coronavirus pandemic, North Korea has not given much information on how it has affected their country. Earlier this month, they reported that their nation didn't have any cases of the virus, and haven't released any other information since. Since there isn't anything definitively known about his medical state, people have been jumping to conclusions on what may have happened. Some people have gone so far to infer that he may actually be dead and that the North Korean government has been trying to cover it up. If he were to be dead, his sister, Kim Yo Jong, would likely be the one to succeed him. She is one of Kim Jong Un's most trusted confidants, and her status as a sibling of Kim would allow her to become the next Supreme Leader. However, North Korea has a patriarchal line for leadership, which means that someone else could also seize power. There may be a dispute for control of the nation among the higher-ups of the North Korean government, which could create lots of conflict. This possible situation has already begun to affect the outside world, as the worth of the South Korean currency has gone down due to the possibility of their neighboring countries' leader being deceased. On the other hand, the death of Kim Jong Un could bring hope to North Korea, as the end of his regime could bring new hope to the isolated country. Use this article to answer the following questions.
In what ways do you think that transparency benefits a government?
Why do you think there are varying opinions on what medical condition he is in?
What do you think will happen if Kim Jong Un is dead?
Have you ever felt like you were being continually lied to?
When leaders or government officials are transparent, they have nothing to hide, leading to a government that runs more smoothly. Connecting to the North Korean government, if they were more open, and didn’t hide things from their people, maybe their nation would be of higher status. Transparency can also benefit a government by having citizens more involved. People can contribute to the economy, among other things. If North Korea were more upfront with their people, it would befit their government, and they could build a stronger nation.
ReplyDeleteThere are multiple opinions of what medical condition Kim Jong Un is in because of North Korea’s reputation of hiding things from their people. North Korea is a country filled with propaganda and censorship to the point where the people living, and the people outside of North Korea have no idea if their government is telling the truth. South Korea’s new agency quoted a Seoul government official stating that the “Daily NK report was not true” (Sang-Hun). North Korea has built up a lack of trust among its people, so their stance on what medical condition their leader is in is not the popular opinion.
If Kim Jong Un were to be pronounced dead, there would be conflict over who would be the next Supreme Leader. Kim Jong Un’s sister Kim Yo Jong is most likely to succeed Kim Jong Un; however, the North Korean government runs under patriarchy. Perhaps this could sprout an uprising among North Korean citizens fighting for their rights. Overall, without Kim Jong Un, the people of North Korea may stride for freedom.
I cannot recall an instance where I have felt like I have been lied to, but for the people of North Korea, this instance applies to them. The people of North Korea are fed propaganda and lies, and they have no whereabouts of what is going on in their nation
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ReplyDelete1. Transparency benefits a government because its people will more easily be able to trust it. Across the U.S., many people of all political stripes refuse to trust the government. People tend to think the government is spying on them or does not have their best interests at heart. When a government is transparent and honest, a society will feel as though the government is hiding less and thus is more beneficial to the people. In turn, this will make a country more united and more productive. It will also make a country appear stronger to the outside world.
ReplyDelete2. There are varying opinions on the medical condition of Kim Jong-un because North Korea is an isolated country run by a dictatorship that already shares little truth with the outside world or its residents. And when the country does share news, it is usually in the form of propaganda, like Rhys said. For these reasons, Kim Jong-un could very well be dead right now. The country would have no reason to share this immediately if it feels it can continue to run a successful facade. On the other hand, especially considering South Korea’s comments, there is no reason to believe Kim Jong-un cannot be alive. South Korea, unlike North Korea, is a democracy and would have no reason to lie. With a country like North Korea, however, this there is no real reason to truly know until there is official news from multiple sources.
3. If Kim Jong-un’s death were announced, there would probably be a frenzy in the country’s elite government to find a replacement. There may be internal fights about this, especially considering the leader of North Korea has a lot of power due to the nature of its government. This may send the country into a struggle if it cannot show strength and unity. If Kim Jong-un is dead or in a severe state, this may be the reason North Korea is not telling the world.
4. I don’t usually feel as though I am being continually lied to because I distance myself from people who lie to me. However, I can understand how annoying and emotionally debilitating it would be to be constantly lied to. Some people in North Korea probably do not know that they are being fed propaganda. The ones who do know must feel trapped. It is very difficult to leave North Korea, so being a resident of North Korea who is aware of the country’s propaganda machine might be like being in a relationship with someone who consistently lies to you.
1. I think that transparency can be very beneficial for countries. One thing that transparency can benefit is a country's economy. If a country is honest to other countries more countries are likely to trade with that country which would benefit the economy and the government. Transparency can also benefit the people of the country because they would have more trust in the government which would ultimately improve the approval of the government. This would also help democracy because more people will vote when they can trust who they are voting for.
ReplyDelete2. I agree with Shane that the reason why there are different opinions on kim jong un’s health is because the North Korean Government is very hard to trust because they are not very transparent. The rumors that he is dead because he missed a big celebration could be false but it is very hard to tell. The rumors could also be true and kim jong un could even be dead or very close to it right now. If the North Korean Government was more transparent than it is we would have a much better understanding of Kim Jong Un’s health.
3. If Kim Jong Un dies I don’t think that there would be much change in North Korea. The people of North Korea will remain oppressed and hungry, denuclearization would remain difficult to achieve, and North Korea would remain the locked up country that it is. I think that there would also be a new leader who would be very similar to kim jong un.
4. I have never felt like I have been continually lied to but if I did I would feel betrayed and upset. For North Koreans it is a daily occurrence because they are fed propaganda by the government to think that the government is treating them well which is anything but true. If I was in their shoes I would feel like I am never being told the truth which would be upsetting.
I agree with Rhys, when the government is transparent it instills a sense of trust to their people, causing the government to run smoothly. If the North Korean government were to be honest and transparent, citizens of their country would have less to question them on, and be more inclined to follow them.
ReplyDeleteSince the government hasn't been honest with its citizens about the medical state Kim Jong Un is in, it has caused a series of rumors to come out. North Korea's history is another aspect that doesn't work in their favor. Their government is known for hiding the truth from the public, with only their own best interest at heart. Since North Korea is also a very isolated country, outsiders are unsure who or what to believe.
If Kim Jong Un were to be announced dead, a big controversy would occur. There would no longer be a dictator, and many would scramble trying to fulfil his spot and gain power. The country would become very hectic and out of control, as they would have no real leader to look to, and attempts to gain freedom would occur.
I rarely ever feel as though I am continuously being lied to. However, I can understand the uncertainty that North Korea might feel, as their hierarchy is spreading lies throughout the country.
I agree with Rhys when he says any state, including North Korea, would have a stronger nation if they were more transparent. Not only does transparency end any suspicions other countries might have on what they might be plotting but it would give their people a sense of security knowing their country has nothing to hide and has a good enough relationship with other countries.
ReplyDeleteThere are many opinions on the medical state of Kim Jong Un because North Korea is obviously not transparent and based on things that have happened in the past, not very honest either. If after all days Kim Jong Un hasn't been seen by the public it would definitely start rumors. Many people know he was going into surgery and that lots of bad things could've happened, the fact that the government hasn't given any answers shows they have something they don't want people knowing.
I agree with Nicholas, although most people believe the death of Kim Jong Un would change everything for the better, the chances of that happening are low. If the people couldn't do anything to change the way things were while he was their leader, what makes them so sure things will be different now. Many people in North Korea somehow praise Kim even after are the bad things he has done for them and I don't think they would do anything that involve betraying him.
I have never felt like I had been continually lied to, but similar to what everyone is saying, North Koreans have been in this position their whole lives and they have probably just excepted it at this point.
1. Agreeing with Shane, I think that transparency will benefit Governments. Many citizens don't trust the Government due to their belief that the Government is holding the real truth. However, if a Government is transparent and honest, the likely hood of citizens having trust is significantly higher. Our Nation will become stronger and most citizens will begin to have trust in the Government, and believe their choices are the right choices.
ReplyDelete2. There are varying opinions or Kim Jong Un's medical condition because the North Korean Government is very untrustworthy, so many people don't know what to believe. There are many rumors stating that he is dead or brain dead. Although this could be likely, there is no way to no the truth, until the Government steps forward and gives us the whole truth regarding his health state. If the Government was known to tell the truth, many citizens would believe any information they are given, however, because this isn't the case many people are very skeptical of Kim Jong Un's health and whereabouts.
3. If Kim Jong Un were to be pronounced dead, I believe there would be a lot of controversy deciding who the new supreme leader would be to take his place. There is a large chance that his sister, Kim Yo Jong, will take his position. However, because the Government runs under patriarchy, it is unclear would take his place.
4. I have never continuously felt like I was being lied to. However, there have been times when I know I am being lied to, but it doesn't happen always. For North Korea, they are being lied to on a daily basis. If I were them I would feel betrayed and never know what's the truth and whats not.
ReplyDelete1. I agree with Julio that transparency of a government is a benefit. If the government does have transparency more people will start to trust them and support them more. As if they were unclear and hiding the truth about something big (Kim Jung Un's death if he was) their government would receive hate and much more. The country and/or nation would become stronger as a whole and be more powerful.
2. There are varrying opinions about the medical condition because North Korea is not a very trustworthy country and so many of its citizens don't know what the real truth is or what to believe. Many rumors have been started and North Korea has done nothing about making things clear to their citizens. If people were told the truth from the start there wouldn't be other rumors and would believe what was said first, but now they wouldn't know if their leader is even alive. He missed a big public viewed event for his grandfather and they still wont give the truth.
3. If Kim Jung Un is said to be dead then I feel like there would be a lot of caos over the new leader because in the article it says to be his sister, but who knows how people will feel about having a woman leader. I also feel like North Korea would change for the better because they would be able to at least try to fix things he has done, but they also praise him a lot so they wouldn't betray him.
4. Yes it has happened a bunch. Whether it was with friends about something they said behind my back or family keeping a big secret it has happened. Not as much as North Korea is being lied to on a daily basis, but it has happened to me for multiple days then ended eventually.
1. I agree with Rhys that having a transparent government is better. The government isn't trying to hide anything therefore there is nothing to be suspicious about. This gives the citizens a sense of trust and an overall better relationship with the government. This would also prevent social media outbreaks that lead to disasters.
ReplyDelete2. I think there are multiple opinions simply because North Korea is hiding what is going on. This created confusion along with rumors. People end up liking to make up stuff or predict things to get attention on what is going on. I think confusion really starts everything that is said. It all comes from North Korea's censorship.
3. I think if Kim Jong Un were to be dead, the country would still be run the same. It would still be under a dictator, and the people would stay in the conditions they are in. They would be oppressed. The countries information would still be censored. I think they will find a replacement that does Kim Jong Un's job pretty much the same. I also don't think that a new dictator would want to change how the country has been for this long of a time.
4. I can't think of a specific time, but I know that my sisters lie or atleast used to. All the time they try and get and keep what they want. They snitch on me and lie, and sometimes they take things and lie about it. I always find out, but it can be hard to trust them although they have stopped lying like they used to.
I agree with Rhys that transparency allows a government function more smoothly. North Korea is a perfect example of a government with no transparency and a failing government. Having no transparency causes the government not to do well and not to have many allies because not many people even know what’s going on in that country. All we know is that the people of North Korea are very poor and brainwashed by their dictator.
ReplyDeleteI think that they’re varying opinions on Kim Jong Un’s health due to the fact that North Korea hides many things. Kim Jung Un could very much be dead right now and we would not know until much later. North Korea does not want to tell the world that their dictator has passed away if he did pass away. They do not want to appear as weak to their brainwashed citizens. Propaganda and censorship has ruined North Korea.
If Kim Jong Un has died I believe that one of his family members will just take over and continue the cruel dynasty of Kim Jong Un. I don’t think that the citizens of North Korea would get any more freedom and I think they’d continue to be brainwashed by their dictator. I think that they’ll be stuck in this situation for much longer.
I’ve never felt like I’ve been continuously lied to if I’m going to be honest. The people of North Korea probably don’t even realize that they’ve been brainwashed and I feel bad for them.
1. In government transparency can hurt a country but also help it in many ways. Transparency shows that a government isn't trying to hide anything, and will help there reputation. It also shows other country that you are trustworthy and could be a good ally, it will also help the people understand what is going on in their country. On the other hand being to transparent could let the counties enemies know to much and give them a upper hand in some sort of conflict endangering the people that live there.
ReplyDelete2. North Korea is in a dictatorship so most of what they do is kept in secret so it is difficult to trust anyone one person on what is going on. Many people are saying different things but it seems like Kim Jong Un may be in a serious medical situation. There are many rumors so we don't know which one to trust, or if we should trust any of them. North Korea is a country known for keeping secrets so we are not sure if we should trust any of the rumors that come out of it.
3. I agree with Nicholas that even though there may be a short time of controversy in the end not much will change if Kim Jong Un is dead. People like Kim Jong Un will the the next dictator cause the people don't have a right to vote. There is little that people can do because of North Korea strong dictatorship style government. Even though this is true there is one thing that may be able to sway the power and that is the Coronavirus it may have affected the government so much so that the power of North Korea could be in the hands of the people, this is very unlikely.
4. I have been lied to before but I can't think of a time where it began happening over and over again. Being lied to feels like you have be betrayed by someone you were supposed to trust. I can only imagine how much the people of North Korea are lied to and how much this affects their everyday life.
ReplyDelete1. The transparency of the government benefits the nation because people can believe in it more. I agree with Shane that in the U.S. people don’t trust the government as much and they think that they are hiding important things from them. For any and all nations, but especially North Korea, a transparent government would help the people trust the government and make it more united.
2. I think that because the North Korean government is so secretive, many people find it hard when they are giving out important information. The government is also secretive to the rest of the world. Because of this everyone is probably coming up with their own theories because they can’t make sure that they are telling the truth.
3. If Kim Jong Un is dead I think that there will be a major fight for power. Normally I think that his sister would take over, but I think that North Korea to patriarchal to have a woman leading it. Also, because the leader has so much power, and doesn’t really give it up until they die, many people would want to have that and be in charge of the nation
4. I usually don’t feel like I’m being lied to, but I know how awful it must feel to know that someone is keeping secrets from you or simply lying to your face. I agree with Shane that the people in North Korea who do know of think that they are being told lies must feel trapped because they can’t believe anything that they are told by the government, but they also can’t leave.
When a government is more transparent, it encourages the people to trust in it. You are more likely to trust something that you know more about that something that hides things from you, especially if those things are as important as the health of the country's supreme leader.
ReplyDeleteThere are varying opinions on pretty much everything. Kim Jong Un's health is no different. However, it could be a more prominent question due to his absence at his grandfather's birthday celebration, which is a very important event, especially in a country like North Korea where the leaders are essentially gods.
If Kim Jong Un is dead, then his younger sister Kim Yo-Jong will take over as supreme leader from her older brother. From the few things she has said in public statements, it can be gauged that she, like her brother, has no love for South Korea. However, if she does not take over, another high-ranking official will do so.
Personally, I think that life is a continuous lie. It is my belief that the world we are "living" in does not exist at all. It is simply a simulation created by our robot overlords. While we are in this simulation, they are harvesting energy from our real bodies to sustain themselves.
1. I agree with Shane that a transparent government is beneficial because it allows the people to trust it. When an organization doesn't disclose information or tries to cover things up it makes them less trustworthy. The government needs to be trustworthy because many people depend on the government. In the U.S. some people distrust the government, coming up with theories to fill in blanks where there isn't full transparency. If the government were more transparent about non-confidential information the country could be more united.
ReplyDelete2. I think that there are varying opinions on the condition of Kim Jong Un's health because of the different information being provided by sources. The president of the U.S. and another unnamed U.S. official have made comments about the Supreme Leader being in bad health even as North Korean sources deny those claims. Given North Korea's reputation for being an isolated nation that isn't always fully transparent, it is easy to mistrust these sources.
3. If Kim Jong Un is officially declared as dead there will likely be turmoil over who is to fill his position. Kim Yo-Jong could make a claim for the position being Kim Jong Un's sister and one of his most trusted confidants, but seeing as North Korea's line of leadership is patriarchal those claims could be ignored with other people trying to get the position. This would make the country appear weaker and less unified and if Kim Jong Un is dead this could be one reason North Korea is not disclosing that information.
4. I try to stay away from situations that I feel skeptical about, and rarely feel that I am being continuously lied to. However, I can imagine how it must feel to never be able to trust anything. Unfortunately, when it comes to a government spreading propaganda, especially in an environment like North Korea where it is difficult to leave or get outside information, many people believe what they are being shown. This could definitely make people who are skeptical of the government even more frustrated with their situation.
1. Like Kate and Rhys, I agree that a transparent government is overall beneficial because it allows there to be more trust between the general population and the government. If there is a strong trust between the government and the people, it allows for society to function better.
ReplyDelete2. Because of North Korea's censorship on the information of this topic, people could have different opinions on the little information that has been given about Kim Jong Un's health conditions. For all we know this rumor of Kim Jong Un's health condition could be completely fake and made up by the North Korean government.
3. If Kim Jong Un is dead, his sister will probably take over his mantle and dictate North Korea. It is also a possibility that her actions could differ from her families as well and she could bring democracy to North Korea.
4. When I was little, I had several hamsters and basically ever week, the hamster was changing colors. I knew something was wrong but my parents told me that it was normal for hamsters to change colors. After a few years had past, my parents finally told me that the hamsters were actually dieing a lot because I was a horrible pet owner and they had to replace it almost every week for like a month.