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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Want to Invest in North Korea? |
| 2006-06-12 |
| I attended our local city's annual Expo this weekend. Find a factory to make your goods, that sort of thing. I was wandering around the International section, when, to my surprise, there were North Korean booths, staffed by real live North Koreans. Kimmie pin over the left breast and everything. I tried to strike up a conversation, but the first guy didn't speak English. I then asked for a brochure in Japanese, and that got the desired effect. I scanned it in, and you can check it out here. I tried my Japanese with a woman at a different booth. She immediately replied in excellent English. I got a book of importers/exporters from her, but it's merely a directory and not interesting like the other pamphlet was. She had this strange chiffony bouffant dress that make her look pregnant. I went for lunch, and told my friend about her, and he went back and started hitting on her. He got her card, and promised to email her. He sent a totally innocuous email, and got back a reponse from postmaster saying "Can not relay mail.Ask mail manager and try again." So, I suppose there's a whitelist of people that the North Koreans are allowed to communicate with. Anyway, just thought y'all might find this interesting. |
| Posted by:gromky |
| #9 Thanks for the post Gromky. Great story and fascinating brochure. I'll bet Lileks would get a kick out of it. |
| Posted by: ryuge 2006-06-12 23:01 |
| #8 Check out the top illustration on page 5 of the pdf. Guy on the right with the straw hat. Looks like he is sleeping. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2006-06-12 21:56 |
| #7 North Korea has these multi-lane roads while having very few cars (only officials of government and military). Very few normal people can afford a car. One lane of all roads and highways was reserved for the sole use of the "great leader". Presumably his son, the "dear leader" uses them. The buildings are huge, ugly stalinist monstrosities meant to show the power of the state. |
| Posted by: john 2006-06-12 19:22 |
| #6 No obesity at that beach. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-06-12 11:30 |
| #5 South Korea already has economic ties with the North although on a very quiet basis. I think it's Samsung that has factories up by NW border. Not sure if they make any money but if you want a REALLY cheap works force then North Korea is your place. I also hear rumors that OSHA and evironmental laws are of little concerns to the Norks. The big sales point would be the cheap labor force that will "work for food" but I am sure you will have to kick somthing up to Kimmie and the KWP. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2006-06-12 10:26 |
| #4 Where do you put your kimmie pin on the swimsuit? |
| Posted by: 3dc 2006-06-12 09:34 |
| #3 That brochure looks like it is from 1959. It also looks like they have their exhibitions in all the best places. Hope they get their hepatitis shots before they go. |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2006-06-12 09:15 |
| #2 One of the companies at the show: ZHOUSHAN BAILEI HACKSAW KING(GROUP)CO.,LTD. LOL! Great story Gromky. Was she worth hitting on? BTW, did the Norks look fed? |
| Posted by: Spot 2006-06-12 08:34 |
| #1 I do! Ever notice that in North Korean pictures of the capital Pyongyang, in the streets there are very few people and cars. Strange for such a large city |
| Posted by: bernardz 2006-06-12 08:32 |