I had to think about whether this merits General Chat or actual Discussion. Is North Korea more frightening than it is comical? - only if you remind yourself there are millions of real people living there and of the country's several semi-successful nuclear tests. If I had to choose between N. Korea having nuclear arms or Iran, I'm not sure which way I'd go. On the one hand Iran is likely to leverage nuclear weapons to get a freer hand for meddling around in the Middle East, which it already does quite a lot. But on the other hand, North Korea seems more likely to actually nuke somebody, maybe without much provocation.
Anyway, I truly LOVE the method of execution described below. These guys, I swear. Wow.
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-w..._campaign=newsNorth Korea Executes Its Defense Chief With Anti-Aircraft Guns
Just days after grabbing international attention for reportedly testing a submarine-fired ballistic missile, North Korea executed its defense chief on the order of dictator Kim Jong Un. That's according to South Korea's spy agency, which briefed Seoul's lawmakers on the development Wednesday.
The execution reportedly took place in public, with hundreds of onlookers watching as Hyon Yong Chol was killed by firing squad, using anti-aircraft guns. The reported offense? Falling asleep during a meeting and showing disrespect to Kim.
Hyon has represented North Korea in meetings abroad, most recently with a trip to Russia in April. Kim has yet to leave the country since coming to power following his father's death in 2011.
This move is the latest in a series of leadership changes — and purges — since the younger Kim has taken charge. South Korea's spies said 15 officials were executed last month. And in a notable move shortly after becoming North Korea's absolute ruler, Kim ordered the execution of his uncle, who had amassed loyalty among North Korea's top brass during the leadership of Kim's father, Kim Jong Il.
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