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Kim Jong-un Photographed Watching His Rocket Launch While in Flavor Country

If this picture from the KCNA, North Korea's state news agency, isn't perfect, I don't know what is.

If this picture from the KCNA, North Korea's state news agency, isn't perfect, I don't know what is. Kim Jong-un sits contemplatively as he tracks the successful launch of Pyongyang's newest rocket, sucking back a smoke like a politician of a bygone era. In fact, between the mismatched desk, grandma's chair, ancient phone, and mysterious wall decorations, the whole scene feels like a time warp from the 70s.

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I suppose that's fitting, as the rocket's surprising success is rooted in 70s Soviet technology that's been copied and bootstrapped into a working device. Still, there's something off-putting about this photo, and I'm having trouble putting my finger on it. It's not that he's smoking; sure, it doesn't fit with his pro-fitness proselytizing, but who's going to begrudge a man a trip to flavor country after successfully pissing off most of the world? Oh, wait, here's what was missing:

Hat tip to the Atlantic

@derektmead