There are photos of Kim Jong-un right up atop the volcano…
“There are photos of Kim Jong-un right up atop the volcano. I actually wrote a letter to him asking if I could speak on camera. I never got an answer. But what was interesting was the people who were responsible for us, our "guards," it took them two days to figure out how I should address him. "President? No, you can't because there's a president for eternity." And it was a time when his status was still in flux. Only a few months later there was this party congress which assigned an official title to him, but that was after we did our film.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The narrator describes the chaotic process of addressing a leader whose title was uncertain, highlighting bureaucratic confusion.
In simple terms: Unclear titles cause confusion in protocol.
Key Takeaway
Clarify titles before official communication.
Themes
politics
protocol
confusion
bureaucracy
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- diplomatic meetings
- press conferences
- government correspondence
Key Concepts
leadership legitimacy
communication breakdown
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify proper titles in fast‑changing regimes?
- What are the risks of misaddressing officials?
A Different Perspective
It may cause diplomatic faux pas.