They love their dear leader.
But it is an unrequited love - a love that is one-sided. Now reports are suggesting there
is more love lost surfacing than love won. So are the wheels starting to come off North
Korea's propaganda machine? There are signs...
North Korea has done plenty to define itself. The image created, of a military might, where
parades are numerous. Where inhabitants are in constant awe of their leader.
Where strong hands and tears are compulsory. All this provided, courtesy of North Korean
TV, controlled by the state, disseminating what it wants, when it wants, for its own gain.
There are a lot of things you can't mention if you live in North Korea, that is unless
you want something bad to happen to you.
Song Ju Kim fled his home country last year. He was imprisoned several times and saw famine.
Now in Britain, he reflects on what life was like.
The leader of North Korea Mr. Kim Jong-un is just over 30 years old. He's very scared
about his power so wants to bring back the old policy of killing anyone who's against
the regime, so he can shore up his own power.
Asked whether his friends back home will be scared.
The North Korean people are not interested in these power games. Kim Jong-un is now using
the media to show how he is in charge.
Getting a general consensus of feeling is difficult. The secretive, totalitarian state
is not in the habit of letting foreign journalists in. And when they do, questions remain unanswered.
Kim Jong-un, what message are you trying to send to the West?
The apparent execution of Kim Jong Un's uncle creating global headlines.
He believes that he is in control, but I believe also that whether or not he intended the signal,
that ordering North Koreans, who are now for the first time officially being told that
there were people at the top of the regime plotting against Kim Jong-un will draw the
conclusion that their regime is not as rock solid as he's been trying to make out.
North Koreans who crossed the border into China have spoken of their experiences. They're
not defectors or dissidents but ordinary working people. Who have become faceless voices, fearful
of the backlash if they become known. They talk of times when North Korea was "better"
and "life was more comfortable." Others apparently say "if you believe, you will just suffer."
They express shock at being able to shower at any time in China and access to constant electricity.
The world remains switched on and watching in amusement or in all seriousness. The United
Nations want North Korea to be taken to the International Criminal Court over human rights
abuses claims. Behind the mass parades lie western concerns over threats of nuclear activity
and diplomatic pressure to secure a deal. This defector says the clock is ticking when
it comes to change.
I definitely believe the North Korean regime will not last much longer.
How long? Well, the addage is only time will tell.
And who would be the winners? Whoever the North Korean government tells you.