Suspense in the Korean Peninsula

Suspense in the Korean Peninsula

By E. Stanley Ukeni

Alright, for everyone who read my last post, I guess Thursday turned out to be somewhat anticlimactic. I suspect that all those who were expecting some kind of fireworks on Thursday were woefully disappointed that there was no kaboom to be had. And of course, those of us who wished to God that calmer heads would prevail—well; it looks like we got our wish…at least for now.

While the sabre-rattling between the U.S and the North Koreans continues to ratchet-up—with threats of war looming over the Western Pacific, the North Korean government concerned themselves with a rather domestic affair on Thursday.

It should be recalled that on Wednesday, April 12, 2017, officials of the North Korean government spontaneous instructed the throngs of international journalists—who were visiting the hermit country to cover the commemoration of the birthday anniversary of the founding father of North Korea, Kim Il Sung, to gather up early on Thursday for a ‘big and important event’.

Suddenly, the global media landscape was abuzz with speculations of what this ‘big and important event’ might be. Some media organizations speculated that a North Korean nuclear test was eminent, while others suggested that some sort of missile test was on the offering; but neither occurred.

In the early morning hours of Friday, 14th of April, 2017, the government appointed attendants to the journalists woke them up, and had them get ready to be taken to the venue of the undeclared ‘big and important event’.

After hours of thorough security screening, the throngs of journalists—many with a mingled look of excitement and trepidation, filed into the rows of buses that were designated to take them to the venue of the surprise event.  

I suspect that when the journalists arrived at the venue of the event, the looks on many of their faces quickly turned to one of mixed amazement and disappointment. Instead of witnessing some spectacular missile launch, or being given a prime view of a nuclear test, the horde journalists found themselves at a sprawling new housing estate.

Amidst a crippling economic sanction, the North Korean regime had managed to construct an awe inspiring housing development. As I viewed the photos of this estate, I was left speechless. The magnificent building project consists of a number of varying sizes of high rise complexes, the tallest of which rose to about seventy stories.  

The approximately 3,600 flats that are housed on the undeniably impressive buildings on either sides of Ryomyong Street prime real-estate looked every bit as modern as they come—at least from the outside. I have to admit, I wouldn’t mind owning one of those flats. Admit it, I bet the same thought did cross your mind. Well, let’s all hope that they don’t all get blown up in a war…it’d be a real shame if they do.

I couldn’t help but wonder how the young and seemingly brash North Korea’s Supreme Leader, Kim Jong Un—in about five years after taking power, was able to erect despite stringent economic sanctions, and very minimal valuable mineral resources.

I suddenly felt detestably appalled that nowhere in Africa can one see such indigenous constructed edifice, even with the vast mineral wealth that the continent has been endowed with. Looking at the picture of this magnificent construction I felt ashamed for the shameless leaders of Africa who have, and continue to, plunder the countries they were chosen to serve, without a care to improve the quality of life of their citizenry. What a shame.

Ok, let’s be clear, I’m not saying that there are no impoverished parts of North Korea. I’m sure there are plenty of people there who live in deplorable conditions, but the North Korean leadership can claim crippling sanctions as an excuse. What’s the excuse of most of Africa’s leader? Well, the answer is greed and selfishness.

Authored by E. Stanley Ukeni, © 2017. All Rights Reserved. This material and other articles or stories posted on this blog site may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed, in whole or in part, without prior expressed written permission from the author, E. Stanley Ukeni.

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Photo credit: getty image