North Korean players defect?
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/798359/ce/uk/?cc=3888&ver=global
So apparently 4 players from North Korea are missing or AWOL. North Korea denies this saying that they filled out their teamsheet incorrectly and did not account for them. Coincidence? I think not...
I want to believe they are trying to escape Kim Jong IL. Please let that be the real story!
It may be their only chance to get out, best of luck to them.
Don't you mean tPRK?
Actually, it's tDPRK.
a few years ago when they were in the states. I believe it was their u20's (maybe 23's?). I was kind of curious to see if this would happen when N. Korea qualified.
to North Korea. The world has likely never seen such a complete totalitarian regime as this. This is a country where the citizens have to stop several times per day to look at the mandatory picture of Kim in their homes and at work, and sing songs of praise to him, while he starves non-military people on purpose. If there was ever a true definition of the word evil, this is it.
of this concept can be found in Orwell's book 1984. An outstanding read.
My favorite book of all time....nice.
2+2 does equal 5...
If you want to see a great documentary about North Korea see the following (14 3-minute sections and each one is better than the last). Vice TV did a great job putting this together:
http://www.vbs.tv/newsroom/vice-guide-to-north-korea-1-of-14
First episode is in the DMZ, then they make it into the country. Easiest way to navigate sections is just to change the address).
Insane the horrors and lack of freedom that people in these type of regimes must endure. Sadly there are many others to certain degrees (Cuba, Venezuela, Myanmar, etc)
Vice definitely did a good job with that documentary. It opened my eyes...pretty crazy stuff there in PRK.
On a side note, I would suggest skipping their guide to Liberia. It was made by the same guy that did the N. Korea one, but he's way more douchey and sensational in the Liberia doc. I was disappointed.
Makes you think what is going on in their Gov't let alone their soccer team
It would be odd for them to defect in the middle of the tournament.
That's actually probably the best time. At the end of the tourney I'm sure their handlers would clamp down and watch for that sort of thing. Who expects a defection 4 hours before a match?
I'm guessing they already have had chances, during their training and before the Brazil game.
Well for whatever reason this appears to be the chance that they took.
I wonder if the remaining players are annoyed, not because they were bailed on in the middle of the tournament, but rather because now they will be watched heavily and given little if any freedoms. The rest will have no realistic chance of escape now.
Well apparently those "missing players" were seen on the team bus. On another note I don't have the slightest clue why I got neg banged.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/soccer/world-cup-2010/06/18/missi…
I would be running like Earl Cambell first chance I got.
On a side note though, it would not be uncommon for the family to be punished if this story is true.
Historically, especially when you look at Czech and Soviet hockey players, defecting during the middle of a tournament is the best move.
If they were willing to defect, they probably didn't feel that much loyalty to Dear Leader's team, so what's a couple of games? Hopefully FIFA can grant some kind of political-refugee exemption for them and allow them to compete for their new countries, if they're good enough.
It's the closest thing they can find to home!!!
...is emblematic of why a minus 10 button should be added to the voting system.
That username alone is worth a -10
The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners. Shoosh. I sure hope he makes the finals.
Awesome.
That was a damn stupid post I left above.
I would have - 10ed me too.
This reminds me of that movie 'Victory' with Stallone and Michael Caine, where the crowd storms the field after the game is finished. They then proceed to dress up the team in civilian clothes so that they blend in with the rest of the crowd. They just walked right on out of there, none of the German guards could witness any of them leaving. That Michael Caine is very stealthy.
Spolier Alert!
It's already been reported that the players were spotted at practice, so unless this was the worst defection ever, it's really a non-story.
I'm gonna go with worst defection ever. They tried it and got caught.
...Buuut probably just the typo they mentioned earlier. Oh well.
Definitely makes you happy to have the life you have. Best of luck to them.
you wish them the best, whatever happens, but from a selfish soccer fan's perspective, NK gave Brazil a hell of a game and I would be really disappointed if they were undermanned in their next two. I would love to see their tight defense get Ronaldo all pissed off and whiny.
I remember a huge article in ESPN magazine years ago about the Iraq soccer team. After they lost in the World Cup Uday and Qusay Hussein mercilessly tortured them to death. At least we finally gave them what they had coming.
I actually thought about this a few days ago when they were on TV. I thought if I were one of those I might try to escape because there's no way they are going to win anything, which means they will be shot anyway when they get back to their country (or the hotel) so why not make a run for it? Seriously though, it must be awful to live like that.
feeling a little more ronery now
why more Buckeye players don't go missing during road trips.
Columbus, Pyongyang... where does the madness stop?
You're a fucking moron.
who will never be featured on MGoProfiles.
It's called a joke, man.
You give Chris Perry a bad name. You're more of a David Underwood than a Chris Perry.
November 25th, 2010 at 8:34 PM ^
fuck you, dude
...that the DRPK leadership established the following national team selection criteria (all three have to be in evidence to warrant selection):
- Soccer skill
- Demonstrated party discipline and performance in multiple rigorous tests of loyalty
- Compromised position due to family ties
A player who still defects in the face of items 2 and 3 would have to be an especially determined and single minded person.
I could have sworn I saw him yesterday, walking on the Northwestern campus. Same super-stylish glasses and Buddy Holly 'do.
I read the title and thought, "Well, hell. Their defect is that they suck at soccer." But then I see you meant it as a verb and not a noun. Boy, do I feel stupid...
If you imagine this in the Peter Griffon voice, it's freaking hilarious.
But yeah... it is nice to live in the USofA. GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD /borat voice.
If it's Borat then it is the U.S AND A.
My sister is #1 prostitute in all of Khazakstan!
[Posted in wrong place. I slap my self on the wrist.]