Exercise
First, click on the link and quickly read the article. Note any vocabulary you don’t understand and write in the Lesson Document the basic facts of the story.
Warm-up
In groups, talk and brainstorm what you know about North Korea. Try to answer the following questions:
- Who is its leader?
- What kind of government does it have?
- What do you know about its history?
- How is it viewed by the rest of the world?
Video
We are going to watch a news report from inside North Korea. Before we start, make sure you understand the following vocabulary.
- kimilsungia
- kimjongilia
- literally
- worship
- militaristic
- inaugurated
- famine
- dynasty
- cult of personality
Comprehension
- What are kimjongilia and kimilsungia?
- What image do you get of North Korea from watching the video? Do you think it is an accurate depiction of life there?
- What do you think of the people they interviewed? Do you think they are being honest?
- What problems has North Korea faced over the years? How has the country changed?
- In what way does the video compares North Korea to China?
Discussion
- Why do you think that countries like North Korea exist in the world? Why are people willing to live under those kinds of conditions?
- Should the world be worried about North Korea? Why or why not?
- What should the world do about North Korea? Should we ignore them, try to build a relationship, or fight them? In your group weigh the pros and cons of each choice in the Lesson Document. Then decide which is best.
Final Thoughts
- More generally, do countries have the right to tell other countries what to do? What should we do if we don’t like how another country is acting?
- Form a group and come up with a list in the Lesson Document of pros and cons of other countries interfering with the actions, policies, or economies of other nations.