The article jumps around and isn't particularly well-composed, but the point about the children is merely making the point that some of the North Koreans' emoti

The article jumps around and isn't particularly well-composed, but the point about the children is merely making the point that some of the North Koreans' emotions, reactions to the event, etc..., are genuine and not 'staged', as we are often led to believe. As for the brainwashing, he's not saying they aren't brainwashed, only that we are as well.