`Leadership of Kim Jong-Ill, Lethargically Paralyzed`

``Although there was a sign of a reform in North Korea several months ago, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Ill seemed to have been lethargically paralyzed now as his brainwashed people.``

In a report on Pyongyang, the BBC strongly criticized against the structure of North Korea and the leadership of Kim Jong-Ill on 29th. The BBC did an on-spot report from North Korea because of the new British-NK amity and opening of British embassy in Pyongyang.

Special correspondent Brian Barren reported, ``Although the people of North Korea live worshiping Kim Ill-Sung and his son as gods, the price is a disaster-like isolation, poverty, and starvation.`` Following content is a summary of the report.

While western countries are pressing North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons, The U.K. opened a British Embassy in North Korea`s capital Pyongyang for the first time in history. The embassy has been opened in this country of seclusion since the two countries fought against each other 50 years ago. The deputy ambassador James Hoar said, `We will be able to change North Korea from this point`.

Even though the late North Korean leader Kim Ill-Sung died 7 years ago, he is still remained as the head of the country. His body has been put in a huge memorial larger than the Buckingham Palace in England.

However, if one goes to the rural areas, he/she can find that poverty and ruins are only inheritance left by him. This doctrinarian communist country, which suffered from a series of drought and flood, is experiencing a serious food shortage.

David Motten, director of UN aid team who resides in North Korea, said, `The children supported by the World Food Plan (WFP) are barely maintaining their lives through million tons of food aid. Those really in danger are adults who, especially, live in the urban areas`.

North Korea leader Kim Jong-Ill, who should be responsible for this catastrophic situation, recently ended his 3 weeks visit to Russia with his exclusive train. Even though the people of North Korea worship Kim Ill-Sung and his son as gods, the price is a disaster-like isolation, poverty, and starvation.

The government wants for the people outside to see them as an open and technically-advanced country. Yet, the scenes of children enjoying the internet, was fake, since there is no linkable web-site in this clandestine policy state.

Park Jei-Gyoon phark@donga.com