ABOUT THE BOOK
Like the man himself, Kim Jong-Ils funeral was the stuff of legends.Tens of thousands of mourners flocked to the streets, screaming and wailing as the dictators hearse drove past. Millions more watched the proceedings on their state-structured televisions, crying and beating their breasts.
Certainly, the passing of this Elizabeth Taylor super fan, nuclear weapons-hoarder, and lover of proletariat pantsuits was momentous for isolated North Korea. But the loss of the leader of this volatile and potentially-hostile country offers no solution for North Korea or for the world only more uncertainties. Only one absolute arose: the announcement of and proceedings following Kim Jong-ils death kept the world guessing, and the future of the country only seems to forecast more of the same.
MEET THE AUTHOR
In 1855, the Boston Intelligencer said of Walt Whitman: The author should be kicked out from all decent society as below the level of the brute. Taking this as a quote regarding all writers, Alicia Bones is trying to live, write, and teach while keeping decent company and staying above the law. She will teach English in Yantai, China through June of this year, and hopefully legitimize her life in grad school starting next fall. She blogs on American life at http://aliciabones.wordpress.com.
EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK
Kim Jong-il, known as the Supreme leader, was a man of contradictions. He would consume only North Korean products, but also kept a 10,000-bottle cellar of French wines. He controlled a country with an aggressive nuclear program, but was afraid to travel by plane. He lead a country with consistent food shortages, but still had lobsters airlifted daily for dining on his frequent train trips.
Perhaps Kims love of luxury contributed to his death. He died of an apparent heart attack on December 17, 2011 at the age of 69, an age cited by North Korean media outlets, although some scholars say he may have been a year older. The Sun of the 21st century ruled North Korea for 17 years, rising to power after his fathers death in 1994.
On Monday, December 19, the North Korean people were told that they would be given an important notice on the state-controlled television station at noon. At the time, it was well-known, even by North Korean civilians, that Kims health was poor. The governments reason for keeping Kims death from the countrys residents for two days is unknown, although some Western media sources speculate that the leadership wanted to steel itself for what could have been a difficult regime transition.
CHAPTER OUTLINE
Wikipedia+: Death and funeral of Kim Jong Il
+ The Legend
+ The Death is Publicized
+ The Funeral
+ North Korea’s Mourning
+ ...and much more
