Kim Jong Il's Grandson Gives an Interview

I don't know if I'm more surprised by his English fluency, earrings or open-mindedness. To be honest I'm kind of worried for his safety after giving an interview like this... given what he's saying and his general demeanor, something makes me doubt it was vetted through "official" North Korean sources.<p>And in response to "propaganda comments" on the article, as a Korean American I know that the strongest sentiment in Korea is still towards unification. I've never understood that (and still don't, to some degree) but watching this video gives me a glimpse of that. When I hear this kid speak, I see me. It leaves me unexpectedly hopeful for the future.

He's really composed and well-spoken for a 17 year old, and I'm not just talking about his English fluency. I was also impressed by how mature he sounded when talking about his future plans; taking things step-by-step, and wanting to volunteer and become a humanitarian worker before working on uniting Korea and contributing to world peace.

I don't really know where my opinion falls with this interview. The young man seems to be cognizant of his family's wrong doing, but as some have said this could all just be a media stunt.<p>What I do know is that this young man has inherited a horrific past, and if what he said in the interview is true he is attempting to make up for it. That is all any of us can do. People are born into situations, and that isn't anyones fault. It's what we do with that situation that matters.<p>I hope for his sake, and North Korea's sake that he is able to follow through with the goals and dreams that he shared.

Kim Han Sol? Seriously, Lil' Kim the Illest was a huge movie buff, I wonder if that played a part in his naming?<p>He speaks English quite a bit better than his interviewer. He sounds like an American.

He's 17 years old, studying in Bosnia and uses social media:<p>&#62; In various posted messages on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, he expressed guilt for his family’s role in the suffering of the North Korean people.

His ability to speak English is not exactly the most important thing here... Lots of people can speak English, especially those coming from affluent families.

If you look at the comments on the article, they are 4 out of 6 Korean propaganda. (at the time I wrote this comment)

North Koreans seem to like studying overseas in off-the-beaten-track places. I'm from Malta - Kim Jong Il was there to learn English once. It's a tourist mecca now, but was a bit quieter then.

I only listened for a second but also was impressed with his English

He seems like a very articulate and positive young man.

He sounds like he's from southern california.

I'm surprised people don't immediately recognize this for what it almost certainly is: a calculated attempt by the North Korean government to manipulate the media and foreign governments. Perhaps the word manipulate is a bit strong because the goal may very well be to improve relations, but to think that this wasn't vetted and planned by the North Korean leadership is a bit silly. The family wouldn't go to great lengths to keep a low profile for so long only to have a 17-year old randomly give an interview like this - and risk being cutoff financially or even barred from the country/arrested etc. The answer to his question about the plight of the poor people in his country being removed is a huge clue that this is what is going on.<p>Personally I applaud this effort and I hope we see more of it - and it would be great for this young man to go to North Korea and work as a diplomat or something. But people should see this and future actions from him for what they are - carefully crafted maneuvers by the North Korean government.

&#62; <i>He’s clearly an articulate, balanced and confident young man, completely at ease in English.</i><p>Why is everyone so surprised that his English is excellent and that he is very confident? His clan pretty much owns and runs a whole country and rulers and their families generally have everything available to them, in every dictatorship all around the world since the beginning of time. Including the best modern education available.<p>If anything, it is surprising how outspoken he is against the regime and thereby his own family and the entitlement that allowed him to be where he is now but then again, "quod licet iovi, non licet bovi" and sons typical hold a special value anyway.

Is anybody else excited that the future hope of North Korea is one letter away from being called Kim 'Han Solo'?? Awesome.