With the descent of the cold war, relations between the two countries (for this is, to all intents and purposes, what they became after the end of the war) were almost completely broken off, with whole families split for the ensuing decades, some for ever. This event and its after-effects, along with the war against the Japanese in the 1940s, was to cast a long shadow over the years ahead, and led to the creation of the wholly unprecedented worship of Kim Il-sung, and his elevation to almost God-like status. It was also to create the system in which his son was to occupy almost as impossibly elevated a position.

Well, Joe lost control, went into a skid / And gave his life to save that bunch-a kids / And there at that crossroads, was the end of the line / For Big Joe and Phantom 309

You know, he said at last, I wish you'd just look how that little dog's shithole opens up every time he barks.

You don't know what it takes to succeed at competitive frisbee.