Im Dienst des Diktators
Im Dienst des Diktators: Leben und Flucht eines nordkoreanischen Agenten (en: In the Dictator's Service: the Life and Flight of a North Korean Agent) is a biography of North Korean defector Kim Jong Ryul that reveals information on the luxurious lifestyle of North Korea's Eternal President Kim Il-sung and his son Kim Jong-il. Austrian journalists Ingrid Steiner-Gashi and Dardan Gashi authored the book, and Ueberreuter published it in March 2010.
 | |
| Author | Ingrid Steiner-Gashi, Dardan Gashi |
|---|---|
| Country | Austria |
| Language | German |
| Genre | Biography |
| Publisher | Ueberreuter |
Publication date | March 2010 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 206 |
| ISBN | 3800074508 |
In 2010, Kim Jong Ryul came out to share his experiences as a "shopper" for the North Korean elite after sixteen years of hiding in Austria.[1] Although criticizing Kim Jong-il might endanger his life and his family, Kim Jong Ryul told the Associated Press, "Without this book, I didn't want to die. Now I can die with a clear conscience."[2]
Content
Kim Jong Ryul spent around 20 years[3] fulfilling the wishlists of North Korea's nomenklatura by purchasing and smuggling expensive goods into North Korea. Such items included silk wallpaper, gold-plated handguns, and luxury vehicles.[2] He spent much time operating out of Vienna, Austria.[3] Kim Jong Ryul served as a translator for a group of North Korean chefs instructed to "learn everything" about Austrian cuisine.[2] Kim Jong Ryul and a group of engineers were also assigned to duplicate a Mercedes-Benz.[2]
References
- Kirk, Donald (2010-03-09). "New book: Defector tells of shopping in Europe for North Korea dictators". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
- "Shopper for N. Korea dictator speaks". NBC News. Associated Press. 2010-03-04. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
- Bell, Bethany (2010-03-08). "Colonel tells of lavish shopping for N Korea dictators". BBC News. Retrieved 2012-04-09.