I'm surprised people don't immediately recognize this for what it almost certainly is: a calculated attempt by the North Korean government to manipulate the media and foreign governments. Perhaps the word manipulate is a bit strong because the goal may very well be to improve relations, but to think that this wasn't vetted and planned by the North Korean leadership is a bit silly. The family wouldn't go to great lengths to keep a low profile for so long only to have a 17-year old randomly give an interview like this - and risk being cutoff financially or even barred from the country/arrested etc. The answer to his question about the plight of the poor people in his country being removed is a huge clue that this is what is going on.
Personally I applaud this effort and I hope we see more of it - and it would be great for this young man to go to North Korea and work as a diplomat or something. But people should see this and future actions from him for what they are - carefully crafted maneuvers by the North Korean government.
It's the opposite, actually. Kim Han-Sol and his family are considered enemies of North Korea. North Korea has tried to, and (according to my friend who closely follows north korea) is still trying to kill Kim Jong Nam, this guy's father. This could be a vetted and planned attempt by his family to stay very public so such an assassination is a lot harder.
The Swedish text-over does briefly mention that he was contacted by the North Korean security service prior to this interview, but doesn't expand on it.
I'm not sure how this can be construed as "a calculated attempt by the North Korean government to manipulate the media and foreign governments". The kid looks and dresses like a South Korean boy band member and just called his relatives dictators...seems to me that doesn't do anything other than get egg all over the North Korean government's face.
The interviewer introduces the word dictator. He goes along, but doesn't actually make any criticisms - pretty much all he says of substance is that he wants peace and unification, which are not particularly 'South Korean' ideas. If a similar film had been made with the current leader 20 years ago, I wouldn't be surprised at all.
I feel like they understand that the majority of the world wants to see something that they can consider to be a benevolent personality come into power in North Korea. I wonder how they will take advantage of that?
Personally I applaud this effort and I hope we see more of it - and it would be great for this young man to go to North Korea and work as a diplomat or something. But people should see this and future actions from him for what they are - carefully crafted maneuvers by the North Korean government.