CounterpointStimulating debate with the British Council

In our ever shrinking global village, it is easy to forget the immense privileges that global communications and transport bring us. We can eat Japanese food, listen to Bulgarian folk jazz, watch Senegalese art house cinema or engage in any other cultural activity to our hearts content. More to the point we have the opportunity to indulge and expand our cultural awareness in any direction we desire, yet such benefits are not enjoyed by all the world’s population.

North Korea is arguably the last stronghold of totalitarian socialism in our ever shrinking world. A few years ago Vice magazine travelled there to film a documentary providing a profile of this ‘hermit kingdom’. Throughout their stay they were closely monitored to ensure they never got too close to the locals or see any undesirabe section of North Korean society.