N Korea 'bans smoking for leader'

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 5:47 pm

he North Korean capital, Pyongyang, has reportedly become the latest city to impose a smoking ban.

However, rather than being for the good of the general public, it is all about the country's leader Kim Jong-il.

The move comes after doctors advised Mr Kim to stop smoking and drinking after a recent heart operation, reports say.

"Kim's home, office and all other places he goes to have been designated as non-smoking areas," a former South Korean lawmaker said.

"A Chinese diplomat who has close relations with the North Koreans told me by telephone that doctors had asked Chairman Kim Jong-il to quit smoking and drinking," Jang Sung-Min, an associate of former South Korean president Kim Dae-Jung, told the French news agency AFP.

"Even the highest-ranking officials are going outdoors to smoke," he said.

Former chain-smoker

Mr Kim, 65, has reduced his official activities this year, and a month-long disappearance from public view in May prompted rumours of failing health.

North Korean TV slogan from 2004 - "The harm of cigarettes"
North Korea launched a nationwide anti-smoking campaign in 2004

A team of German doctors visited Pyongyang in May, sparking speculation among some foreign and local news media that Mr Kim might have had a heart operation. This has never been confirmed.

While accurate information is hard to obtain, several accounts portray Mr Kim as a former chain-smoker and a heavy drinker with an appetite for fine dining.

Such rumours are hard to confirm because of the highly secretive nature of his regime.

I'm starting to wonder if Kimmy is trying to outdo the Onion and other such works.

Cpl Kendall · Post by **Cpl Kendall** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:37 am

I don't suppose the world could get lucky and he goes the way of Castro?

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 4:01 pm

Castro is still alive I'm afraid.

Bloody Good · Post by **Bloody Good** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 4:54 pm

Yeah, technically.

Cpl Kendall · Post by **Cpl Kendall** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 5:41 pm

frigidmagi wrote:Castro is still alive I'm afraid.

Yeah but he's pretty much a dead man walking, isn't he.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 5:44 pm

Yeah but he's pretty much a dead man walking, isn't he.

My understanding is he still exterts some control over the government of Cuba although his brother does most of the day to day stuff.

Cpl Kendall · Post by **Cpl Kendall** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 6:00 pm

Even that would be an improvement for North Korea. Unless Dear Dipshit's chosen successor is even more of a backwards fool than he is. Kim's taking seriously ill might shake up some of that cult thing they've got going on there.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 6:04 pm

Even that would be an improvement for North Korea. Unless Dear Dipshit's chosen successor is even more of a backwards fool than he is. Kim's taking seriously ill might shake up some of that cult thing they've got going on there.

Well from what I hear (which means I cannot verify it so...) there are likely 3 results.

1: One of his kids takes over, nothing really changes.

2: Junta of Generals takes over, should be easier to talk to as they won't have ideological hang ups just an overwhelming desire to stay in power and alive.

3: Civil War, this would be bad.

Cpl Kendall · Post by **Cpl Kendall** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 5:39 pm

Well lets hope that when he kicks off that the Generals seize the reigns and put a stop to this. You'd think they'd be tired of this nuttery by now.

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N Korea 'bans smoking for leader'

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