Is This Another Doctored Photo, Or Did a ‘Giant’ Show Up at Kim Jong Il’s Funeral?
- Posted on December 29, 2011 at 5:39pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Earlier today, we published a story on the doctored North Korean photo that erased, for some reason, a group of six men from a picture of deceased dictator Kim Jong Il’s funeral procession. It’s been our top story most of the day. So when we story the story about the “giant” showing up at the same processional, we thought we might be bringing you yet another example of a doctored photo. But after looking into it, it seems a giant man did actually show up for the ceremony.
Before we discuss the merits of the photo, take a look at it for yourself:
The funeral procession for late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il passes by the Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang, North Korea Wednesday Dec. 28, 2011. (AP Photo)
Note the caption associated with the photo — it’s an official Associated Press picture. Still, maybe you’re not seeing the very tall man in the center of the photo. We’ve decided to blow it up for you to get a better look:
See him now? He’s to the left of the first flag pole. Gawker lightens up the picture in case you’re still having trouble seeing it:
So who is the man in the photo? Gawker, which originally thought the photo was a fake, did a good job of reviewing the possibilities behind the man they called a “giant:”
Reddit users speculate that the man is 7′ 9″ North Korean celebrity giant Ri Myung Hung. Once named the tallest man in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records, Ri is North Korea’s only internationally famous basketball player. He tried to play in the NBA in the late 90s, but was prohibited by the State Department, probably because they knew he’d destroy all our comparatively miniature American basketball players.
If you’re curious, a YouTube search turns up a little more on Hung:
There you have it. Who would have thought that the photo involving the six men and a camera crew would turn out to be a fake, while the one possibly involving a giant basketball player would end up being real. In a North Korean world, I guess it just makes sense.
Or, as Gawker writer Adrien Chen writes, the Hung theory “seems more reasonable than my first guess: a short North Korean standing on another short North Korean’s shoulders under a big trenchcoat.”
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Comments (175)
Mopar 1969
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 7:35pmIt was Lurch
Report Post »TheSitRep
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 8:57pmRurch
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 9:04pmwhat is the average height of a north korean and could it have been someone from another nation who’s avg height is much larger?
Report Post »John 1776
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 9:27pmThey’re creepy and their Spooky
Report Post »They’re all together Kooky
and some of them are Nuke’y
North Korean Family !
dealer@678
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 10:11pmWith a name like Hung he must be popular with the ladies of North Korea
Report Post »robgc1
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 12:42amho ho ho green giant! lol
Report Post »1776freedomofspeech
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 4:23amThat’s number 579. He is a genetic experiment for their clone army.
Report Post »WeDontNeedNoSteenkinBadges06
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 5:40amFor the mad brutal communist & dead dictator … a moment of silence … okay, laughter for that murderous bastard:
Report Post »“Team America – Kim Jong Il lonely song”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z8iKVayOKk
Mannax
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 6:13amThank you THESITREP… you owe me a keyboard.
Coffee and that comment did not go well together.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 7:15amthesitrep.. funny
Report Post »tooksdad
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 7:36amahh herro
Report Post »TROONORTH
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 9:20amGot it all wrong. Normal sized guy next to incredible shrinking army. “Now all your ankle belong to us!”
Report Post »slickmeister
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 9:35amWow. Didn’t know John “f-in” Kerry was an OFFICIAL member of the People’s Army of N. Korea!
Report Post »Paratrooper
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 1:01pmMaybe the Nephilim are real & now living in North Korea? Kim (R.I.P.) could have been a stunted Nephilim runt with dwarfism? Lol………. !
Report Post »Tony
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 2:37pmLurch who also served Vietnam?
Report Post »scheduler
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 4:37pmNot surprised.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 6:58pmI gazed upon the massive masses,
As the new Dear Leader took the Oath,
Saddened were all the faces,
Yet not a tear on a cheek or the eyes both.
Millions stood and maybe more,
Shoulder to shoulder on the concrete square,
I wondered if through their minds,
The thought reigned that “this is still not fair”.
The new Dear Leader took the Oath,
Report Post »Sensing glory and feeling naughty,
But I couldn’t help but think of the massive masses,
In the square without a single port-o-potty.
wandamurline
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 9:12pmIt is probably orgamegla which is a disease that causes giantism.
Report Post »sndrman
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 7:28pmbet he’d play for food literally. he wouldn’t be ashamed to wear a sandwich board “will play for food….PLEASE EVEN SCRAPS”……..
Report Post »GrannyATL
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 7:39pmSeriously, who in the world has the time (or the desire) to nit-pick a photo to the point of eye-balling every person in the sea of soldiers? This is just crazy.
Shows you how bored some people can be.
Report Post »skitrees
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 10:15pm@GrannyATL: Glass houses and stones, etc. You’re here. You read. You posted. I wouldn’t be throwing too many stones.
Report Post »sndrman
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 7:27pmbet he’d play for food literally. he wouldn’t be ashamed to wear a sandwich board “will play for food….PLEASE EVEN SCRAPS”……
heavyduty
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 7:15pmI bet he does want to play for the NBA. They pay a lot better than North Korea.
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 9:57pmWith a name like Hung. He would be real popular if the Kardasians sisters got wind of it
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 10:22pmSorry folks. I’m old but not very mature
Report Post »1776freedomofspeech
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 5:39am@DEALER@678
It is still funny.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:51pmSo whats the big deal? It’s Chinese basketball player, Yao Ming.
Report Post »Come to pay his respects.
Or one of his genetically altered clones.
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:31pmThese photos show the distortion they use to enslave their own people; this is the future of America under Obama.
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:46pmI wouldn’t go that far. Brussels is more like it.
There is a big difference between the crumbling EU and the starving NK.
Report Post »AhLeahIris
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 9:08pm@MRBUTCHER You’re right, there is a single important difference: Time
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 9:51pmwhen Europe turns into North Korea let me know…..
None of you understand what is going on….
You are scared.
Report Post »panz
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 11:53amit’s probably the future of America under any president. If you think Mittens would be different, you checked your thinking cap at the door.
Report Post »SHOOTnCRASH
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:28pmI refuse to rip on the people of North Korea. They are living a literal Twilight Zone episode.
Report Post »Bakko Bomma
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 7:29pmIt‘s just the Blaze’s normal non-agenda all truth all the time way of slamming anyone that’s not white Christians.
Gonzo
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 8:08amYea Bakko Bomma we can all tell how racially sensitive you are by your avatar and screen name.
Report Post »Staberdearth
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 12:06pmOh bakko bama you’re such a useful idiot hoot… Keep posting, I enjoy the cluelessness of your humor.
Report Post »Aviyah
Posted on January 3, 2012 at 5:19amWho’s ripping the people of North Korea? The Blaze is simply pointing out that the dictatorship of North Korea will go to the extent of doctoring photos in order to give the impression that everyone imprisoned there loves the dearly departed leader. I don’t know how you stretch that into the Blaze “ripping the people of North Korea”.
Report Post »ThePostman
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:26pm” It’s been our top story most of the day.”
Ummm, I kinda wonder how you are ranking your stories then. The photos out of North Korea annoy me. And the user comments were all “yawn, shoot me”.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:25pmHoly moly…. that is one tall drink of water!!
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 10:20pmHe’s a Hung
Report Post »DesdemonasCrew
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:20pmHe ain’t big..he’s just tall – that’s all.
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 10:14pmHe’s Hung
Report Post »idarusskie
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 4:56amexplains why he is in the back.
Report Post »RN MOM
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:16pmI know that this is not the usual venue, but we are truly a grassroots movement and are trying to help our troops: Please take a look at our fb page- like it and share it if you can- We are trying to spread the word and move in the right direction- we think that our Iraq war vets deserve better than nothing… we can BEGIN with a parade int heir honor- boy, I can’t believe what we have come to when we cannot even celebrate the long awaited return of our nations heroes and heroines. https://www.facebook.com/pages/1-Million-Strong-for-NYC-ticker-tape-parade-for-Iraqi-vets/249337221800609?sk=wall&filter=1
Report Post »M4finny
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:16pmWho cares? The X-Box and the child porn were both passed off to another metal defective who is in charge of N.K. and we’re tallking about a fake photo? Priceless.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:20pmYou got to love this American media eh!
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:14pmYou know I actually don‘t really care what North Korea or Iran is doing because America’s room is pretty dirty itself.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:17pmAs a matter of Biblical history, I‘m almost certain that God is going to abandon America unless American’s start paying attention to the stick in their own eye.
Report Post »macpappy
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 8:06amBiblical history has nothing to do with the world as we know it, any more than mythical history does. You are viewing the world through guilt colored glasses.
Report Post »panz
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 11:57amRon Paul? Is that you Ron?
Report Post »dckrlang
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:10pmPeople Magazine does the same thing each week….Can you find the 8 differences- most times it”s a movie star photo, this one is of a meglomaniac.
Report Post »panz
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 11:59amHuh? I don’t see a picture of Barry anywhere on this page.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:06pmAm I just an odd American? Because my entire life I have been bothered by the fact that for some reason the countries we blow up or who we attack end up making our crap for America. Oh maybe you are far too busy with your idols to pay attention, but surely that must be in violation of a few of God’s laws it seems to me, if we want America to truly be and stay a land of Liberty.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:22pmThere is a vast difference between committing sin, and living in-sin.
Report Post »stormcrow53
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 8:01amWhen did we attack or blow up China? I forget. I thought some General named Macarthur getting sacked because he wanted to blow up and attack China.
Report Post »panz
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 12:01pmWhy don’t you go find yourself a nice religious blog to comment on?
Report Post »qpwillie
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:06pmWow, it’s the midget brigade!!! Who’s the regular size guy?
Report Post »scheduler
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:11pmWow that guy is tall.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:49pmLast I checked, the average North Korean was 6 inches shorter than the average South Korean. Perhaps that ratio has increased and the “tall” guy is really 5′ 10″ and the rest are starved dwarves.
Good eye.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:02pmIf he‘s 7’ 9″, then is everyone else like 4′ 5″? Follow the yellow brick road Toto.
Report Post »Drakkhanlord
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:02pmAll need to Watch this …Please.
http://www.infowars.com/slow-kill-holocaust-proof-the-government-is-poisoning-you/
Slow Kill Holocaust: Proof the Government is Poisoning You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtCpMilUtdI&feature=player_embedded
No matter how you feel about Alex Jones …please use the Information to Help You and Yours.
and some Music entertainment…
Report Post »AC/dc hiway to heII…
and Our Military …Love Them Sob’s
Drakkhanlord
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:05pmThis one Nice too…
Report Post »A-10warthog
Shoot to thrill..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=2bMfrixJyWc
Freshpair
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:02pmHes just on stilts or on someone elses shoulders wearing an extremely long coat. Had the best seat in the house but sucked for the other guy. his back had to be killing him.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 5:59pmits fake ……………..thats the korean version of curly and moe sharing a jacket to keep warm
Report Post »ScottyK7
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 5:58pmWhat is with the soldiers standing at even distances behind the crowd by the flags?
Report Post »rosecityken
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:02pmthey are “motivating” people to show their greif…show me any film coming out of NK that show REAL tears being shed…their isnt any.
Report Post »Vet with Vendetta
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 5:55pmNorth Korean propagandists are so out-of-touch with the rest of the world, they don’t realize that we can see right through their bull-crap photos.
Report Post »The Sergeant Major
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 5:51pmJust think if the North Korans had a stable diet of healthy food…… Were screwed.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 5:50pmThat was just the winner of the BIGGEST loser.
Report Post »BornJewishMuslimByFaith
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 5:43pmNorth Korea land of the one giant and millions of short people.
Report Post »geonj
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 5:52pmexactly, even a 6′ person would be giant like against these short n. koreans.
Report Post »geonj
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 5:54pmbtw, 2 n. korean stories and nothing on obama. did the president become non newsworthy while he is spending the taxpayer”s millions on a family vacation in hawaii? come on, man up, blaze.
Report Post »Outlaw_Josey_Wales
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 10:08amWhen I was in the army, I was station in south korea for two years, I’m 5-8, I felt like a tall person while I was in korea.
Report Post »Diego Roswell
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 1:04pmN. Korean’s short stature can be attributed to generations of malnutrition.
Report Post »