Kim Jong-un’s Ladies in Yangon

By WAI MOE

“We visited the famous Shwedagon Pagoda and some shopping malls, with permission from the embassy,” one waitress said. “But the rest of the time … we just stay at the restaurant compound, watching television and learning Myanmar.”

North Korea’s relationship with Myanmar has been strained over the years. Ties came to an abrupt end in 1983, when a North Korean assassination plot against South Korea’s president killed 17 South Korean officials and four Myanmar officials while injuring dozens more. Within hours of the bombing, Yangon kicked out all North Korean diplomats from the country.

Myanmar’s former military junta decided to publicly resume ties with North Korea in 2006, hoping for assistance with arms and technology.

In Yangon now, the waitresses show support for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

When asked whether they knew about US President Barack Obama’s visit to Yangon last year, one waitress said: “We knew he was here, but we don’t like him because he’s not our leader.”

In addition to the female waitresses, the restaurant hired three male security guards. From a building on the compound, they watch customers through hidden CCTV cameras, bringing a bit more of Pyongyang style to Yangon.