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Extremely interesting to see how the CIA works, in 1949 they didn't have to be as believable as now - it's obviously a smear job in how it tries to paint him as

Extremely interesting to see how the CIA works, in 1949 they didn't have to be as believable as now - it's obviously a smear job in how it tries to paint him as a murderer and lowly thief only out to get money. It's no wonder it has been discredited. For the easily offended - no, I don't think he was a good guy.

MrPatan 4y ago
I wonder if the CIA fabrications of today only seem believable now and will seem unbelievable in 70 years.
- suction 4y ago
  I would think so, and it gets harder for them due to globalisation and countries working together economically (well apart from Russia maybe) - because back in 1949, China, Korea and Japan were basically impenetrable black boxes for most people, where you'd take the CIA's word for it because who knew what was possible or likely in those cultures?
- pydry 4y ago
  I wonder why people believe them now, to be honest.
- pyronite 4y ago
  I'd say it depends. Which "CIA fabrications of today" are you referring to? Many people likely have something that springs to mind, based on their own existing biases, but that differs between people. When naming a particular "fabrication" you'll probably encounter much more resistance. (Russiagate? HIV/AIDS? The moon landing?)
- MichaelCollins 4y ago
  Remember all the accusations of Julian Assange being a rapist?
ransom1538 4y ago
"it's obviously a smear job in how it tries to paint him as a murderer and lowly thief only out to get money" I am trying to follow the logic here. The CIA wanted to smear Kim by using a restricted classified report that wasn't released for 60 years? If I was doing a smear campaign in 1949 I would put it on the radio.
- oefrha 4y ago
  You do realize this is an article published in 1949 in a South Korean periodical, you’re reading it from a restricted classified report only because CIA put a copy in their classified trove? It very well could have been on radio back then.
  - suction 4y ago
    He didn't get that, I guess.
Krasnol 4y ago
> it's obviously a smear job in how it tries to paint him as a murderer and lowly thief only out to get money. Even without this document there can be this and worse said about him. So why bother?
- suction 4y ago
  What worse stuff could have been said at the time, though? His "followers" thought of him as a noble leader free of any moral ambiguity. The direct opposite is a cold-blooded murderer who murders out of greed. If the CIA tried to discredit the image his followers had of him, I think this write-up would be a good way to do it.

MrPatan 4y ago

I wonder if the CIA fabrications of today only seem believable now and will seem unbelievable in 70 years.

suction 4y ago
I would think so, and it gets harder for them due to globalisation and countries working together economically (well apart from Russia maybe) - because back in 1949, China, Korea and Japan were basically impenetrable black boxes for most people, where you'd take the CIA's word for it because who knew what was possible or likely in those cultures?
pydry 4y ago
I wonder why people believe them now, to be honest.
pyronite 4y ago
I'd say it depends. Which "CIA fabrications of today" are you referring to? Many people likely have something that springs to mind, based on their own existing biases, but that differs between people. When naming a particular "fabrication" you'll probably encounter much more resistance. (Russiagate? HIV/AIDS? The moon landing?)
MichaelCollins 4y ago
Remember all the accusations of Julian Assange being a rapist?

ransom1538 4y ago

"it's obviously a smear job in how it tries to paint him as a murderer and lowly thief only out to get money" I am trying to follow the logic here. The CIA wanted to smear Kim by using a restricted classified report that wasn't released for 60 years? If I was doing a smear campaign in 1949 I would put it on the radio.

oefrha 4y ago
You do realize this is an article published in 1949 in a South Korean periodical, you’re reading it from a restricted classified report only because CIA put a copy in their classified trove? It very well could have been on radio back then.
- suction 4y ago
  He didn't get that, I guess.

Krasnol 4y ago

> it's obviously a smear job in how it tries to paint him as a murderer and lowly thief only out to get money. Even without this document there can be this and worse said about him. So why bother?

suction 4y ago
What worse stuff could have been said at the time, though? His "followers" thought of him as a noble leader free of any moral ambiguity. The direct opposite is a cold-blooded murderer who murders out of greed. If the CIA tried to discredit the image his followers had of him, I think this write-up would be a good way to do it.