Watch Live: Congressional Hearing on IRS Scandal

Live Now on TheBlaze Radio: ‘The Buck Sexton Show’

World

Strange: Mickey Mouse & Winnie the Pooh Dance Onstage in North Korea for Kim Jong Un’s Entertainment

Jul. 8, 2012 2:24pm Madeleine Morgenstern

In this image made off North Korea's KRT video footage, North Korea's new Moranbong band and performers dressed as America's cartoon characters perform in Pyongyang, North Korea, Friday, July 6, 2012. Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh took the stage for new leader Kim Jong Un, in an unusual performance featuring Disney characters in North Korea. (AP Photo/KRT)

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh took the stage in North Korea during a concert for new leader Kim Jong Un, in an unusual performance featuring Disney characters.

Performers dressed as Minnie Mouse, Tigger and others danced and pranced as footage from “Snow White,” “Dumbo,” “Beauty and the Beast” and other Disney movies played on a massive backdrop, according to still photos shown on state TV.

The inclusion of characters popular in the West – particularly from the United States, North Korea’s wartime enemy – is a notable change in direction for performances in Pyongyang. Actors and actresses also showed off new wardrobes, including strapless gowns and little black dresses.

In recent years, performances such as the “Arirang” mass games featured performers dressed as panda bears in homage to North Korean ally China.

This appears to be the first time Disney characters have been included in a major performance, though Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse have been popular among children for several years. Backpacks, pencil cases and pajamas imported from China often feature Disney characters, and stories such as “Dumbo” have been translated into Korean for North Korean schoolchildren. However, it is unusual to make such images a central part of a North Korean performance and to publicize it on state TV.

It was unclear whether the Disney characters were officially licensed. U.S. sanctions prohibit the import of North Korean goods to the United States, but do not ban the sales of American consumer products in North Korea unless they involve officials or companies on the U.S. Treasury Department’s sanctions blacklist.

The performance was staged Friday by the Moranbong band, which was making its debut after being assembled by Kim himself, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said.

In this image made off North Korea's KRT video footage, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, second from right, watches performances by North Korea's new Moranbong band in Pyongyang, North Korea, Friday, July 6, 2012. (AP Photo/KRT)

Kim, who took power after his father, longtime leader Kim Jong Il, died in December, has a “grandiose plan to bring about a dramatic turn in the field of literature and arts this year,” KCNA said.

The dispatch made no mention of Disney characters, but said the concert included the traditional folk tune “Arirang” as well as a number of upbeat foreign songs.

Featuring Disney characters signals that Kim may be seeking to carve out a different image than his father and grandfather by easing restrictions on Western culture, said Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korean studies professor based in Seoul, South Korea.

Kim, who is in his late 20s, has sought to project an image of youth, vitality and modernity.

Early Sunday, he led top officials in paying their respects to his grandfather, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung, at the mausoleum where he lies in state. Kim died 18 years ago Sunday.

Earlier in the year, a quintet of accordionists became a YouTube sensation for their arrangement of “Take on Me,” a pop song by the Norwegian band a-ha.

North Korea and the United States remain in a technical state of war because they signed a truce, not a peace treaty, after three years of fighting in 1953. The foes do not have diplomatic relations.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (50)

DasAmerican
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 11:08pm
So …..The next Korean war will be fought with Interpol?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
FrankSpeak
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 9:53pm
Maybe they’re reaching out to America?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Puddle Duck
  Posted on July 9, 2012 at 7:40am
  An America that no longer reflects the era that the cartoons, which this collection of weirdos love so much, were made.
  
  Report this comment
JamesTeaPartyMac
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 9:18pm
you do noy know God at all

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Hrothgar
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 7:31pm
Not surprised, as much as the North Korean rhetoric is “We hate America!” the leaders have always indulged in western activities. Daffy Duck was Kim Jong Il’s favorite cartoon character. They can isolate the masses but they will always treat themselves to the world buffet. This is nature of totalitarian governing coupled with the communist economic system.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- WINNEBAGOMAN
  Posted on July 8, 2012 at 10:32pm
  You nailed it!
  
  Report this comment
- Puddle Duck
  Posted on July 9, 2012 at 7:37am
  The elite have a ready supply of Dr Ho’s back belts and magic heat packs.
  
  Report this comment
- Hrothgar
  Posted on July 9, 2012 at 9:47am
  This is something that also isn’t uncommon in other governments globally. The ruling class always find a way to snuff those underneath them by ways of hiding money, products, services, information and things of that nature. The corrupt in the governing bodies find that using media to “entertain” the masses keeps them from asking the questions about “Why? What? How? Where?” North Korean citizens don’t really know any better because there is nothing else for them to know, except what the state wants. They don’t look behind the curtain and the great and powerful Oz will always pull on their marionette strings to get what he wants out of them.
  This is what has been happening in America since the early 1900′s and countless other countries around the globe. It becomes easy to control people when you control what they know, the power of information control will always make them subservient to the wretched leaders. Maybe I’m reading into this too much.
  
  Report this comment
Kilmerfan
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 7:10pm
The sad part is it is probley more entertaining than the last couple of Academy Awards shows…..

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
TelepromoterNChief
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 6:46pm
Though they might not of been able to get the Disney stuff from America, there is the Everland Resort in South Korea that might of been able to help out.
For all we know, young fat Kimmight of built another of of his tunnels from North to South Korea just so he could play on the Resort rides.
Little fat boy dictator might be a complete imbecile in a suit.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
blackyb
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 6:24pm
If Kim was not a communist I would like him better than Obama, of Course if Obama is a stealth Muslim/Marxist/Socialist/ then Kim is a better man. At least he is in office legitimately. I hope Kim gets saved and turns into a Christian. Wouldn’t that be something?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- TelepromoterNChief
  Posted on July 8, 2012 at 6:48pm
  Obama would try to have a beer with Micky Mouse.
  Michele would eat Micky w fries.
  Romney would have him over for family home evening.
  
  Report this comment
blackyb
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 6:21pm
That mouse may be comrade mousKas now. I sort of feel sorry for children who never have a childhood. Let Kim play while he will.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
blackyb
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 6:17pm
Kim never had much of a childhood. He needs to play now for yet awhile. Playing makes a better and more rounded dictator.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
garbagecanlogic
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 5:51pm
Why not? The pudgy little runt looks like one of them.

Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8

The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
wordweaver
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 5:34pm
The Disney characters were part of a package deal with the computer technology the United Nations just sent over to North Korea.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Anacreon
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 4:42pm
I am sure the part of Goofy was played by Kim Jong Un.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Puddle Duck
  Posted on July 9, 2012 at 7:42am
  Looks like Weiner found a new job.
  
  Report this comment
mdepuy
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 4:14pm
That’s a little creepy to me. Like, bring all the little children to me by showing them cartoons, creepy.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- rickc34
  Posted on July 8, 2012 at 4:34pm
  What do you think another MJ
  
  Report this comment
- Puddle Duck
  Posted on July 9, 2012 at 7:45am
  MJ with a few nukes and a huge conventional army…….what a clown show that nation is.
  
  Report this comment
daxbrady
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 4:09pm
Maybe a signal that he likes the West

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- ephraimtheox
  Posted on July 8, 2012 at 4:56pm
  Unfortunately the North Koreans believe THEY created Mickey and Winnie
  
  Report this comment
Stoic one
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 4:02pm
Maybe… a realization that capitalism works?

Nah…

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
blanco5
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 3:57pm
Ever get the feeliing that somehow OUR tax money paid for disney to go over there?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- daxbrady
  Posted on July 8, 2012 at 4:10pm
  judging by those costumes this wasn’t licensed by Disney.
  
  Report this comment
LeadNotFollow
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 3:49pm
…
Kim Jong Un is not emotionally or psychologically mature enough to be the leader of any country.
Especially a country that is such a threat to America and South Korea.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Gonzo
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 3:35pm
I never trusted that Pooh. That red shirt always looked a bit commie to me.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- The-Monk
  Posted on July 8, 2012 at 3:53pm
  Nice Gonzo. I just love your one-liners. LOL
  
  Report this comment
- Puddle Duck
  Posted on July 9, 2012 at 8:03am
  It’s funny but how many folks here know the real story of the actual bear ? Here’s a major (pun intended) hint…. The Fort Gary Horse.
  
  Report this comment
lukerw
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 3:30pm
Disney Employees… will be able to Relate to… being held Captive by a Crazy Dictator!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
HKS
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 3:22pm
Looks like a real Micky Mouse operation to me, on every front.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- hgaut
  Posted on July 9, 2012 at 12:08pm
  Um, no. I see Disney characters everyday one on one. ( nuf said ) These are copies and not 100% either.
  
  Report this comment
Zurich
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 3:16pm
Maybe Kim is catching up with a lost childhood…….

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- lukerw
  Posted on July 8, 2012 at 3:43pm
  Maybe… this is actually his Age Mentality!
  
  Report this comment
TelepromoterNChief
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 3:05pm
Maybe:
1. young Kim is into kids.
2. Micky and crew were executed after the show for not making young Kim smile.
3. Glenn Beck was right about Communist Micky he got from Epcot
4. young Kim is still just a fat….very fat child stuffed in a uniform to lead a nation in terror
5. Photo op to appear nice. Never mind the prison camps, slaughter or endless threats against his own people and the world. He’s just a regular FAT guy.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
The-Monk
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 2:59pm
Is that Calvin and Hobbs? First photo, right side.

People are starving and this is how they waste their time and money?

The facade continues, just like Obama.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- cjherin
  Posted on July 8, 2012 at 3:34pm
  The tiger is probably Tigger from “Winnie The Pooh”. The character to the left of Tigger looks like it might be one of the Seven Dwarfs.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on July 8, 2012 at 3:52pm
  @cjherin
  
  Thanks. I hoped that Calvin and Hobbs had not turned Commie.
  
  Report this comment
- JACKTHETOAD
  Posted on July 8, 2012 at 7:08pm
  Hobbes would’ve ripped Hu Flung Dung to shreds. (I love when he used to flip out.)
  
  Report this comment
RayOne
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 2:47pm
Disney Entertainment International reports to the shareholders, Mickey works for them.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
rickc34
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 2:32pm
I knew it , I never trusted that mouse and bear……

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- hazmat_factor
  Posted on July 8, 2012 at 3:11pm
  It’s in the eyes, just look at those sneaky, honey stealing eyes….
  
  It’s a bear, whadya spect?
  
  Now a US president obummer, he want’s it all, not just the honey……
  
  Report this comment

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.