Further Reflections on North Korea’s World Cup Campaign

I wrote a column earlier this month in which I wondered whether North Korea’s live World Cup broadcasts would result in a more open and globalised nation. Well, it seems to have worked. Want proof? American teen man-child idol Justin Bieber is set to tour the reclusive Asian country after an Internet vote demanded that he visit there ahead of Israel, eastern Europe or South America.

True, the naysayers among you may point out that the vote was rigged by the kids over at 4Chan, and that Bieber has personally denied he’s going anywhere near Kim Jong Il’s backgarden for a sunset rendition of “One Time”.

Indeed, this week’s further dip in the already well-dipped North-South Korean relationship, and a historical revelation proving the White House really does have a red button shaped like a nuclear warhead labelled “Collectivize This, Supreme Leader”, seem to show that things aren’t going swimmingly DPRK side, despite their heroic, er, loss to Brazil.

Fortunately we’re too optimistic to let such wild speculation ruin what is a heartening and liberating — if artistically misguided — show of support for international culture by the North Korean people. With the further news that a North Korean player is about to sign for Germany’s Vfl Bouchum, it’s now surely impossible to deny that with just a few more world cups the Northies might even let their own supporters attend their games. And that - surely - is an impossible dream we can all get behind.

Cross posted at Asylum.co.uk