The North Korean Leader Is Always Surrounded By People Taking Notes. But Why?
Whatever he is saying, it seems to be constantly worthy of note.
By Sadho Ram — 27 May 2017, 06:45 PM
Over the years, if you have been observant enough, you might have noticed that almost every photograph of Kim Jong-un that is released to the world have one thing in common - the leader is surrounded by people taking notes:
No matter what he is doing, Kim Jong-Un's legion of note-takers are constantly taking notes, even when it's raining
In this photo from 28 May 2013, Kim Jong-un, under an umbrella, gives directions at a fishery, while soggy military officials concentrate on writing down his words:
It's an absolute mystery as to what Kim Jong Un is telling everyone, but it seems to be constantly worthy of note
And if you're thinking they are journalists, think again
According to the BBC, those men in uniform meticulously taking notes are either soldiers, party members or government officials.
The only person who appears never to have to bother is his wife Ri Sol-ju.
It's called "on-the-spot guidance", which was started by Kim's grandfather Kim Il-sung.
The photos would give the impression that Kim Jong-un is truly an expert in every field of research in North Korea from robotics to medicine to making cookies, but is he?
Of course, not. He can't possibly know about all of these different things, says Professor James Grayson, Korea expert at the University of Sheffield.
What is happening is a demonstration of the Kim's "supposed" knowledge, wisdom and concern. "It's part of the image of the great leader offering benevolent guidance."
According to the Professor, the photos are part of a broader campaign in North Korea to demonstrate Kim Jong-un’s intellect and kindness. Every picture of note-taking is heading for wide dissemination in North Korea.
“These are pictures that will be broadcast on television and shown in the state media, so those who are there want to be seen recording Kim Jong Un’s every word," Grayson told the BBC, adding that it's important that the North Korean officers that surround him are seen to be hanging on his every word.
While the notes are not usually published or available for the public to view, the note-takers will be writing extremely carefully, says Steve Tsang, professor of contemporary Chinese studies at the University of Nottingham
Reason being, "they wouldn't want to write down anything that was, say, politically inaccurate, or it might come back to bite them," Professor Steve Tsang told the BBC.
"If anything comes out, it would be via the propaganda department. Whether it was what was actually said, or is different to the guidance given at the time, doesn't matter. No-one will ever question it. If you were at the factory and the advice that was released wasn't quite what you had in your notebook, what are you going to do about it?"
