June 07, 2010 12:33
An electronic version of the "Korean Encyclopedia" published in North Korea contains ample multimedia resources such as voice recording of leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. The 30-volume printed encyclopedia was turned into electronic format in 2005, and Free North Korea Radio recently obtained a copy.
Out of over 100,000 items listed in the encyclopedia, some 100 contain video clips, 300 music files, and 15,000 images.
All entries related to Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il and his mother Kim Jong-sook are classified in a special section. Some noticeable items include footage of Kim Il-sung in a meeting with aides just before his death in July 1994.
Kim Jong-il's voice can be heard in a video clip of the 60th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the North Korean People's Army on Apr. 25, 1992. In his speech, Kim Jong-il shouts, "Glory be to the heroic soldiers of the Korean People's Army!" in what is believed to have been his sole public speech.
The encyclopedia refers to South Korean presidents as "puppets" and "traitors." Its evaluation on the Kim Dae-jung administration, which adopted the Sunshine Policy of engagement with North Korea, is that it "publicized stability and change, but essentially nothing changed."
- Copyright © Chosunilbo & Chosun.com