I have often made comparisons between the cult of the RCS and North Korea.
I have been reading John Sweeney’s excellent book North Korea Undercover (this is a link to order the book on Amazon, I recommend it as an informative and enjoyable read filled with typical Sweeney wit). The parallels that come to mind while reading the book are eerie.
Someone also recently alerted me to a link to the official english language version of the The Pyongyang Times.
It makes fascinating reading. They seem to employ the same writers as the RCS. Perhaps Dan Sherman is moonlighting for the Pyongyang Times?
I selected a couple of stories and reprinted them here, along with selections of Scientology propaganda from Scientology.org.
The techniques of control and propaganda are remarkably similar. I will likely make a series of these comparisons. The propaganda is part of the bigger picture of controlling the populace and it ONLY appeals to those inside the bubble (anyone not in North Korea or not in the RCS reads these articles and laughs — inside the bubbles they are VERY serious matters) — though by far this is not the most sinister aspect of these regimes.
Global respect for DPRK leader
A large number of gifts and honorary titles presented to Chairman Kim Jong Il by the world’s people over the past two years since his demise fully mirror their profound feeling of reverence for him.
Vishwanath, secretary general of the International Kim Il Sung Prize Council and the International Kim Jong Il Prize Council and director general of the International Institute of the Juche Idea, visited Pyongyang in April 2012 and presented the Chairman with an elegant and exquisite gilt necklace.
Other gifts include the wood carving “The great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il ” bearing the image of Kim Jong Il on his first China visit presented by the delegation of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the China-DPRK Friendship Association, printed material “Glory to the great leader General Kim Jong Il, the sun of the 21st century!” by Martin Lotscher, chairman of the Switzerland-Korea Committee, crystal ware “The great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il” by Harish Gupta, director general of the Asian Regional Institute of the Juche Idea, long sword and metallographic eulogy by Ibrahim Mantu, former vice-president of the Nigerian Senate, fur cushion by the chairman of the Ecuador-Guaranda Institute for Friendship and Cultural Solidarity with the Korean People, and some-100-year-old gong by Songchit Pullarp, head of the delegation of the Organization for the Study of the Juche Idea of Thailand.
Presenting copperware “The equator signal tower”, a county magistrate in Bolivar Province, Ecuador, spoke highly of the great exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il who had developed and enriched the Songun idea of President Kim Il Sung and demonstrated the dignity and might of Juche Korea to the world with his prominent Songun politics.
Oil painting “General Kim Jong Il, the Sun of Songun” by the International Preparatory Committee for Commemorating the Centenary of the Birth of President Kim Il Sung depicts the Korean leader in a flower garden.
In addition there are ceramic ware “A princess and seven generals”, “Golden rooster” and “Silver hoof” from the Russian Igor Moiseyev State Academy Folk Dance Troupe and the “100th anniversary of the Russian submarine fleet” order, agate craftwork and painting “Monument to Chopin” from the delegation of the International Alliance of Societies for the Study of the Juche Idea and Songun Policy in East European and Central Asian Regions, the Brazil Centre for Peace and Solidarity among Peoples and the Poland-DPRK Association.
Gifts also came from different countries, international organizations and individual personages including the New Socialist Party of Japan, the Korean Friendship Association headquartered in Spain, president of Phoenix Satellite TV Holding Ltd of Hong Kong, China and general director of the Television Station Tele Andina 23 of Ecuador.
The Socialist Party of Benin and the Sukarno Education Foundation of Indonesia declared their decision to hold Chairman Kim Jong Il as the honorary chairman.
Honorary citizenship was awarded to him by Caluma and Cuenca cities of Ecuador and two cites in Nigeria.
The Bulgarian Anti-fascist Union conferred on him the title of honorary activist of the anti-fascist movement and the International Anti-imperialism Coordinating Committee, the African Peace Fund, the Nepal Journalist Association for the Study of the Juche Idea and Songun Politics and others presented him with congratulatory banner, peace prize and diplomas.
Another story from The Pyongyang Times entitled: Nation remembers beloved leader
Abroad
Chairman Kim Jong Il was remembered around the world.
There were remembrance meetings, symposiums, round tables, lectures, fine art shows, book, photo and handicraft exhibitions and film shows in China, Russia, Romania, Norway, Switzerland, Malaysia, Guinea, the UK, Uganda, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Nigeria, India, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Finland, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tajikistan, Chile and elsewhere.
The events were attended by personages of relevant countries and regional organizations and other people.
In a remembrance meeting Vasile Orleanu, chairman of the Supreme Council of the Socialist Party of Romania, said that on the occasion of the 2nd anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il’s death, the world’s progressive people were paying boundless respect to the eternal General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and great leader of the Korean people.
“He developed the Juche idea propounded by President Kim Il Sung through his energetic ideological and theoretical activities and performed great exploits for the Korean revolution and the implementation of the cause of global independence,” he said.
The remembrance meetings held in different countries adopted messages to supreme leader Kim Jong Un.
Political figures published statements.
The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Chile (Proletarian Action) extolled Kim Jong Il for having frustrated the imperialists’ vicious anti-socialist moves, safeguarded national sovereignty and exalted the dignity of the DPRK as an invincible political and military power with iron will and courage.
Newspapers and magazines carried features with the portraits of the beaming Chairman and photos showing his revolutionary activities, and many organizations released bulletins.
From Scientology.org:
L. Ron Hubbard’s acclaim as an author, philosopher and humanitarian is evidenced by the thousands of awards and proclamations conferred upon him.
Each year hundreds of government leaders, organizations and groups from around the world, collectively representing millions, recognize and acknowledge the efficacy and impact of Mr. Hubbard’s discoveries—from his solutions to illiteracy and immorality, to his answers to substance abuse and criminality.
Then, too, as one of the most widely read and acclaimed authors of all time, there are the awards for his accomplishments in the arts.
Presented herein is but a sampling of the recognitions and awards from his life’s work as a humanitarian, author and the Founder of Dianetics and Scientology.
And while it would be impossible to list the thousands of recognitions Mr. Hubbard has received for his humanitarian works—now employed by over 1,800 government agencies—following is but an abridged selection of those recognitions, proclamations and awards:
Mexicali Police Cap — Mexicali Police Chief: In honor of Mr. Hubbard’s discoveries in the fields of drug rehabilitation and criminal reform, the Police Chief of Mexicali conferred upon L. Ron Hubbard the title of Honorary Chief of Police.
International Civil Golden Award — Civil Forum Nepal: Awarded to L. Ron Hubbard for “his outstanding contribution to the people of Nepal in the fields of Education, Drug Rehabilitation and for the Spiritual Healing Technology of Dianetics.”
Human Rights and Peace Award — Universal Peace Federation: Presented to Mr. Hubbard for his work as a “great humanitarian and peace builder.”
Lifetime Achievement Award — Boy Scouts of America: Presented to L. Ron Hubbard “for his humanitarian work for the betterment of Mankind.”
Blackfoot War Bonnet — Blackfoot Society: Bestowed upon L. Ron Hubbard in recognition of his lifesaving techniques for drug rehabilitation and education.
Official Recognition — Social Rehabilitation Center for Young Children of Transbaikalia-Nadezhda, Russia: Presented “in appreciation to L. Ron Hubbard—the philosopher, scientist and humanitarian, who gave an inestimable contribution in improvement to Mankind.”
Fellow — International Oceanographic Foundation: Awarded for Mr. Hubbard’s contribution to the advancement and extension of knowledge and discovery in oceanography and the marine sciences.
Gift to Mankind Award — Educators of Valencia, Venezuela: Acknowledging Mr. Hubbard for his Study Technology.
Certificate of Appreciation — Ministry of Education of Venezuela: Presented in recognition of Mr. Hubbard’s teaching technology.
Certificate of Acknowledgment — Ministry of Justice of Venezuela: In appreciation for Mr. Hubbard’s developments in the field of communication, used in Venezuelan juvenile justice programs.
Silver Cup — Council of the Region of Marche, Italy: Awarded in recognition of L. Ron Hubbard as an educator and philosopher.
World Peace Day Award — City of Sacramento, California: In recognition of L. Ron Hubbard as the Founder of Dianetics and Scientology with the vision of a world without war and crime.
Certificate of Commendation — City of Washington, DC: In acknowledgment of L. Ron Hubbard for the precept, “Safeguard and Improve Your Environment,” from The Way to Happiness.
Pioneer Environmentalist Award — Earth Society Foundation, New York, New York: Presented with appreciation to L. Ron Hubbard, “Pioneer Environmentalist” for his contribution to a better place to live.
Recognition — Commission of Education, Legislative Assembly of Mexico City: In recognition of L. Ron Hubbard for his technology of study.
Senatorial Recognition — Rome, Italy: In recognition of the profound human values of L. Ron Hubbard’s works.
Official Recognition — Secretary of State for Education, The Gambia: Acknowledging the gifts of Mr. Hubbard’s technology on behalf of the peoples of The Gambia.
Commemorative Postage Stamps — Postal Service, Switzerland: Four postage stamps were dedicated to L. Ron Hubbard by the Swiss Post Office for his many humanitarian works.
Certificate of Recognition — National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico: In acknowledgment for L. Ron Hubbard’s development of a technology for study.
Acknowledgment — Foreign Relations Department, Nepal: In recognition to L. Ron Hubbard for his development of a philosophy and technology for study.
House Resolution — Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives: A resolution was presented to L. Ron Hubbard for his humanitarian works in the fields of detoxification and criminal reform.
Citation — Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives: Presented in recognition of L. Ron Hubbard’s lifetime of achievement and as a Freedom Fighter.
Academic Diploma — World Academy for Science, Fine Arts and Culture, Saint Petersburg, Russia: Presented for Mr. Hubbard’s contribution as a writer and a scientist, who made fundamental discoveries in the field of the human mind.
Official Recognition — Detective Chief Superintendent Ret. Scotland Yard: Presented to L. Ron Hubbard for his humanitarian legacy.
Eagle Claw and Tail Feather Recognition — Samson Cree Nation: Bestowed upon L. Ron Hubbard by the Chief of the Samson Cree Nation. Presented as the highest honor given by the Cree as the Eagle flies closest to the Creator.
Freedom Statue — Probation Officers of South Africa: Dedicated to L. Ron Hubbard in recognition of his developments in the field of criminal reform.
Resolution — Senate of Puerto Rico: For L. Ron Hubbard’s contribution to Mankind, proclaiming that his humanitarian and philosophic ideas are a motivation and example for future generations. It was passed unanimously by the 29 members of the Puerto Rican Senate and signed by the President of the Senate.
Another article from The Pyongyang Times about Kim Jong UN — son of Dear Leader Chairman Kim Jong Il and grandson of Eternal President and Great Leader Kim Il Sung.
Kim Jong Un provides field guidance to different sectors
Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, first chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army, inspected the KPA Designing Institute.
He viewed relics and materials in the room housing revolutionary relics and recollected the proud history of the institute.
He said the institute assumes a very important task in implementing the Party’s line of fortifying the whole country and the plan for building a civilized socialist nation, adding that his visit is timed to coincide with the ongoing grand short course for officials in the construction sector.
Looking round different rooms, he set forth tasks to be tackled by the institute.
It is the firm determination of the Party to make a new history in construction for Songun Korea, he said, directing the institute to play a pacesetter’s role.
He stated that the interior and exterior of the institute should be spruced up as befits an agency that maps out the plan of a civilized country, and took a measure to this end.
Kim Jong Un visited the Masikryong Ski Resort, which is near to completion.
Making the rounds of the Masikryong Hotel, ski service and accommodation facilities and resting places for the easiest- and intermediate-level courses, he described the hotel as the best in the country, saying that it is a model structure which embodies the Party’s policy on taking into full consideration the purpose and features of objects in designing and execution of construction.
The ski resort project is the focus of special attention at home and abroad and anyone would admire the resort, he said with a broad smile on his face.
He checked the ski runs and said they are on a par with world-class ones in terms of the number of the courses and total length.
He proposed to add accommodation and service facilities with a capacity of several hundred so that schoolchildren from across the country could enjoy winter camping by skiing, skating and sledging in the resort. And he set the building sites and specified what should be done for the second-phase construction.
He noted that he was so moved by the soldier builders who have braved the biting cold in December to carry out the order of the Party, adding that the Party will never forget their feats for the country and people.
The KPA Supreme Commander inspected the August 25 Fishing Station under KPA Unit 313.
He had sent four latest fishing boats to the station. During his visit on May 27 he named the boats Tanphung (autumnal tints) in a sense that it will bode well for a big haul like a rich harvest in autumn.
Calling for an increased catch to supply more fish to the service members, he said it was the request, not an order, of the Supreme Commander. And he asked the manager to write a letter to him if they net 4 000 tons.
The employees of the station overfulfilled the target in six months and wrote a letter to him.
He answered the letter with a message to the manager left on it and visited the faraway station for the second time.
He warmly shook hands with commanding officers of the unit and officials of the station who came to greet him, and said that he was pleased to hear from them and thanked them for the good news.
As he saw the stores full of fish, he said he felt reluctant to leave the place, and posed for a camera together with the officials against a background of the fish to be supplied to the soldiers.
He said the officials and fishermen worked hard to achieve the bumper haul sharing the mind of the Supreme Commander, adding they earnestly helped him supply more fish to the servicemen and he was much grateful to them.
He highly praised manager Yun Yong Il as hero and gave thanks to the employees in the capacity of the Supreme Commander of the KPA.
Noting that the station should build on the success to catch more fish next year, he set the target to be hit and indicated ways to carry it out.
He hoped that the officials and employees would net more fish and supply them to the soldiers, and had a photo taken with them.
He was accompanied by Vice Marshal Choe Ryong Hae, director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA, General Jang Jong Nam, minister of the People’s Armed Forces, and Hwang Pyong So and Ma Won Chun, deputy directors of the WPK Central Committee.
From Scientology.org:
David Miscavige is the ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion. From his position as Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center (RTC), Mr. Miscavige bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the standard and pure application of L. Ron Hubbard’s technologies of Dianetics and Scientology and for Keeping Scientology Working.
In that capacity, Mr. Miscavige has redefined the term “religious leader” to fit the tasks necessary to direct a truly unique, contemporary religion—a religion born in the twentieth century, which has achieved an unprecedented level of expansion in the twenty-first century, including some 11,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups across 167 nations.
Under Mr. Miscavige’s stewardship, Scientology-supported social betterment and humanitarian programs have touched the lives of billions. Mr. Hubbard’s religious works are more widely available than ever and the Church has achieved unprecedented growth both in physical size and in the reach of its ministry.
…
Crowning the Kaohsiung grand opening was the first visit to Taiwan by Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center. Mr. Miscavige led the dedication ceremony and addressed the gathering of Scientologists: “It is truly my honor to join you on a day when so many dreams come to fruition: your enduring dream for what now looms before us; the abiding dream of all Scientologists to bring the legacy of LRH to the Chinese-speaking world; and fulfilling L. Ron Hubbard’s dream of returning to Asia in spirit and giving back the wisdom he glimpsed through a long tunnel of time. All these dreams will now come to pass, for this is that day when—as in a Chinese epigram—a ribbon falls like windblown silk as we present Scientology to Asia with a first Ideal Org of Taiwan.”
…
In emphasis of what this day signified for the community as a whole, Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and Scientology’s ecclesiastical leader, dedicated the new Church. Mr. Miscavige addressed the gathering with these words: “We come to the first momentous page of this Church’s new history. Needless to say, it’s not a tide of history on which one merrily floats. On the contrary, it must be a history unlike any ever told before, a history of supreme competence, great passion and perfect adherence to our Technology. For only in that way will we ever achieve the Aims of Scientology and thus a world without war, without insanity, without criminality; a world of which we can be proud, where the able can prosper, where honest beings have rights and all are free to rise to greater heights. That is our responsibility as Scientologists—and, yes, it’s one that we proudly embrace.”As the driving force behind a worldwide program to expand all Churches of Scientology to better serve their communities, Mr. Miscavige led the creation of a new breed of Scientology Churches. These Churches stand as points of succor where all are welcome. These are also the Churches from which Scientologists extend their social betterment programs to mitigate intolerance, illiteracy, immorality and drug abuse.
Among those on hand to welcome Orange County’s new Church were Anaheim City Council Member Lorri Galloway; Garden Grove Mayor William Dalton; Santa Ana Preservation Society Board Director, Ms. Maxine Schmidl; Orange County’s Faith in Youth Project Director of the Community Service Program, Ms. Lourdes Gutierrez; and Orange County Interfaith Network Board Member Mike Penn.
There may be even closer examples readers can find. I didn’t want to waste too much time on this.
But the moniker “Dear Leader” sure seems to fit Chairman Miscavige.