The Sun Tyrant by JP Floru

Author:JP Floru [JP Floru]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781785902888
Publisher: Biteback Publishing
Published: 2017-03-16T04:00:00+00:00

We drive in a north-eastern direction, back to the border, this time to observe ‘the wall built by the American imperialists’ from the observation trench. First we receive another lecture from a retired major-general with an impressive kepi and even more impressive rows of medal ribbons. Our single armchairs are positioned with their backs to the two opposite walls, and the Great Leaders are watching us from above. The general teaches the North Korean invented history relating to the DMZ all over again, and with great enthusiasm. We are too stupefied by the nonsense we hear to utter any views of our own, though I can see that especially American Tasha feels uncomfortable. I am annoyed when the others partake in the required clapping at the end of the fabrications.

We make a short 200m walk through a trench. Is the trench there to protect us from American imperialist snipers?

I never actually see the wall. Three strong binoculars stand ready, aimed at the border.

‘The wall cuts 220 rivers off!’ Mrs Kim states, anger flashing in her eyes.

‘It perpetuates the evil division,’ the major-general adds, full of self-righteous indignation. ‘It is like cutting our blood off.’

I search and search but still I can’t find the cursed wall. The only thing I see is a watchtower and a building with very large South Korean and United Nations flags. When I later ask American minder Josh whether he saw the wall, he looks as if I am somehow asking him a trick question. The South Koreans do not admit to the wall’s existence; they do however admit that they built an anti-tank barrier.

The alleged wall is serious stuff down here. It is seen as a propaganda coup. Isn’t it evidence that the American imperialists and their lackeys want to prevent Korea from being reunited?

Now the haranguing comes from the other side! Loudspeakers are blaring out … ‘Delilah’ by Tom Jones. It is absolutely surreal.

When we ask the general to pose for photos with us, he complains that everybody always promises to send him the photos afterwards, but that nobody ever does. British Paul promptly produces his Polaroid camera and now the general is very pleased indeed. I notice that behind our minders’ backs the others are sending text messages again, using the South Korean network.

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