Behind the scenes in North Korea

This interesting Times of London article goes behind the scenes of the grevious fiefdom of Dear Leader. Some observations:

...1. You have to be really badly off to try to flee into China.
...2. The second page has details on some who have been behind the scenes, trying to help some of the victims of this long-oppressed people. Your money quote: Yet North Koreans confirmed that they knew that escapers to China should look for buildings displaying a Christian cross and should ask among Korean speakers for people who knew the word of Jesus. Hmmm - no blowing up factories or poisoning wells? Just Bible smuggling? Helping people cross into freedom? Those are some lousy pitiless crusaders, there.
...3. Another quote, if you please: Bush’s re-election dealt a blow to Kim, 62, who had gambled on a win by John Kerry, the Democratic candidate. Kim used a strategy of divide and delay to drag out nuclear talks with the United States, China, Russia, Japan and South Korea through 2004. I know that the Democratic Party, USA, doesn't like to hear that their guy was the favored candidate of tyrants and enemies - but maybe it hurts all the more because it was true. Spare yourself the trouble in '08, guys, and nominate someone credible on national defense (whose initials might be Zell Miller).
...4. On a related note, I got two odd bedfellows in the mail yesterday - my regular National Review subscription, and an envelope asking me to sign up for a credit card that would "benefit the Democratic Party." Somebody didn't get the memo...
...5. Pray for these children, who are deprived in mind and body, poisoned daily by propaganda about the glorious future to distract them from the miserable present.