Exchange of the week The real North Korea
To The Guardian
In 2012 I was part of a team of “Games Makers”, to chauffeur North Korea’s Paralympic team – which consisted of one competitor, Rim Ju Song, and a small entourage. I was struck not only by their dedication, but also their sense of humour, good manners and informed curiosity about British culture. They appeared model citizens of the world. I make this point in the hope that, in this futile nuclear dance, we do not judge a people by its leaders, or think of them as fodder for the “fire and fury” brigade, simply because they are in the unfortunate position of being ruled by individuals of dubious character. Alan Corcoran, Godalming, Surrey
To The Daily Telegraph
I visited North Korea in 2009 and in 2014. Everything I was shown and told was exaggerated or false, from lies about history and politics to children miming in “live” shows and model farms with actor farmhands who disappeared as soon as our tour group’s backs were turned. The one genuine thing we saw was the utter loathing for the US and its allies. The people’s suspicions of the West and their devotion to (or fear of) their leader was palpable. Trump’s posturing and threats play into Kim Jong Un’s hands, giving him the international recognition he craves and on which he depends for survival. Trump is engaged in a very dangerous game. Does he know? Veronica Timperley, London
To The Independent
David Usborne rightly describes North Korea as “tiny, isolated and impoverished”. Without meaning to trivialise the potential seriousness of the situation, I couldn’t help but recall the Peter Sellers film The Mouse that Roared. The plot revolves around an impoverished tiny principality seeking to enrich itself by declaring war on the US with the intention of immediate surrender in the hope that they would then get Marshall aid from America and so cure their financial problems. Perhaps Kim Jong Un has seen the film and sees this scenario as a way of solving his country’s financial woes. It would certainly explain the apparent lunacy of carrying out aggressive acts and making threats against the most powerful country on Earth. Patrick Cleary, Devon
by eagles, particularly during mating season. A simple cap or hat helps limit any damage to the head by a diving bird.
The most effective method is to hold a golf club upright, resting against the shoulder. Apparently this poses an impediment to the eagle’s dive path and deters it from attacking. In my case, the club of choice is a Taylormade 3-wood. It seems to do the job quite effectively. Haroun Rashid, London