North Korean citizens have little choice in making life decisions-from the way they dress to the content of what they write and speak. All of their actions are closely monitored by the government, that also follows them in a very symbolic way in terms of image. Their leader, Kim Jong Il, has photos and accomplishment papers littered in every building, a propoganda the North Korean people cannot run from. No one wants to challenge their lifestyle or how they are treated because they live in absolute fear that they will disobey and have to pay for it. Although a call to action is completely eveident under this nation, the government is so vast and has power over all that it is a very large obstacle for outsiders to reach.

An important theme is drawn one frame in the comic strip that has the illustrator looking into a mirror but because of a framed photo of the Communist leader, he beleives he sees the leader in the mirror instead of his own reflection. Although it was the angle of the mirror and it was only a mistake, it is a physical metaphor for how much of the North Korean's identity is stolen. They are unaware of what they can become or void of free will, it is stolen by the brainwashing and taking of their leader.

Running away at 18, my father escaped from Poland to Austria to escape Communist rule. There were horrible resource rationing conditions, the education was turning slowly into more propoganda, and speaking or critizing the government was at a high cost. I beleive that there were Refugee camps in Austria because they were aware of these conditions and felt the need to lend out a hand to ones that wanted to get out.

Why do you think that the government also controls outside journalism or published items from other countries? Can they control anything else past it?
Are there aany hidden implied messages behind the comic? What and why?

You could research a topic such as communist rule, the leader Kim Jong Il, or current news topics on the situation.