ABSTRACT
Any laws about an eight-hour working day and suchlike were conveniently circumvented by ‘voluntary’ work. Studying the writings of the Great Leader for a couple of hours a day was said to be obligatory. In practice, the population seemed to have four days free per year, namely the Leader’s birthday, the anniversaries of the founding of the State and the Party, and 1 May (Labour Day); a fifth was added somewhat later, namely the birthday of the Leader’s son. On these days, the city parks were filled with families out walking in their best clothes, partaking in organized leisure activities. Fairgrounds opened up their roundabouts and big dippers and North Koreans could buy ice-cream from street sellers. On such occasions, the embassies too were invited on outings with a picnic outdoors and participation in innocent party games. During the 1 May celebrations in 1975 I was unexpectedly introduced to a newcomer to the diplomatic fold, the Australian chargé d’affaires, who had arrived with his staff the previous day. This was a welcome addition to the small Western contingent, which as a result reached double figures, not counting the children.
