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Opinion: North Korea’s supreme leader supremely annoyed at viral video

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Sheesh, can’t Kim Jong Un take a joke?

A video spoof that has gone viral in China depicts North Korea’s grand poobah in a range of dancing situations, from being part of a grounds crew at a baseball game to various fighting scenes (often involving President Obama) to an apparent holiday party, judging by the really ugly Christmas sweater on the torso beneath Kim’s face.

The North Koreans are not amused, and apparently asked the Chinese government to take steps to remove the video because it “seriously compromises Kim’s dignity and authority.” So far the video remains live, which makes one wonder whether that is a measure of the amount of “dignity and authority” the Chinese government sees in Kim.

Remember, this follows North Korea’s complaint last month about the fall release of the James Franco-Seth Rogen spoof, “The Interview,” built on the premise of hiring someone to assassinate the North Korean leader.

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Ok, so that’s not funny. But still.

The North Koreans described the film, based on the trailer, as “an act of war” and complained to the U.S. government which, given our First Amendment, is powerless to stop the release of the movie. And even if it could, there’d be movies far more deserving of a plug-pulling (hello, “Sex Tape,” we’re looking at you). And it’s not like Hollywood hasn’t tweaked North Korea before. Our colleagues in Calendar listed a half-dozen other films that have mocked what is likely the world’s most reclusive, and oppressive, regime.

So lighten up, Kim. Before you start giving other nation’s leaders some more really bad ideas.

Follow Scott Martelle on Twitter @smartelle

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