New photos from North Korea show locals having fun at amusement parks

          

North Koreans test out 3D glasses on an amusement park ride at the Rungna People's Pleasure Park. 

NEWS.COM

WHO said North Korea wasn't a fun place?

The totalitarian state opened a spanking new water park this week in an apparent attempt to convince the world, along with its own citizens, that life in a nation without enough food, electricity or respect for human rights is actually pretty swell.

I

n stereotypical North Korean style, the new water park in east Pyongyang was unveiled with a full military parade.

But setting that aside, the place looks ... kind of awesome. It has slides, pools, pyramid buildings, creepy statues of Kim Jong-il and pretty much anything else you'd think of sticking in a water-based theme park.

Except dolphins, maybe.

                    

Somewhat benevolent dictator Kim Jong-un toured the park several times while it was being constructed.

North Korea claims to have more fun places as well. At an amusement complex called the Pyongyang Pleasure Park, people can watch 3D movies, play arcade games and drive dodgem cars.

WHO DOESN'T LOVE DODGEM CARS?

These photos were released by a state news agency, in what could only be described as a blatant PR push. In a state where many citizens are left short of electricity and food, the totalitarian government is fond of shelling out money on lavish projects.

 

The whole extravaganza was basically an excuse to tell North Koreans that Kim Jong-un is one helluva guy.

"The water park is the edifice built thanks to Korean Peoples' Army service personnel's spirit of devotedly carrying out any project and their fighting traits as they are ready to flatten even a high mountain at a go in hearty response to the order of the supreme commander," said North Korean Premier Pak Pong Ju at the park's opening ceremony.

The best thing about North Korean propaganda is the subtlety.

 

Because soldiers can have fun too. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)

So, to summarise, North Korea is still a nation which abuses human rights and fails to provide its citizens with the necessities of life, but now it has some theme parks.

One step at a time.