A recent column in the Washington Post's World View section showed pictures of Kim Jong Eun sitting alone on a ski lift during his inspection of the Masik Pass ski resort near Wonsan, North Korea. One of his personal projects since becoming the supreme leader two years ago has been to build a giant ski resort as a demonstration of national greatness. Kim is reported to have developed an affinity for skiing during his time at a boarding school in Switzerland.
Kim’s project hit a roadblock in August when the question of how to acquire ski lifts surfaced. North Korea does not possess the technology to build its own lifts. Furthermore, strict sanctions imposed in March make it illegal to sell luxury goods to North Korea. Kim Jong Eun tried offering millions of dollars to Austrian and French companies, but both refused his offers. A Swiss company was also slated as a potential trade partner due to Switzerland’s history of neutrality; however, the Swiss government interceded by calling the Masik Pass report a "propaganda project". Pyongyang was so angry, the official state outlet KCNA called Switzerland’s refusal to sell ski lifts a, "A serious human rights abuse".
Four months after Switzerland blocked the deal, North Korea appears to have somehow acquired ski lifts. The North Korean state media called the ski lifts "great monumental structures". The resort is reported to open as soon as possible and Kim predicts that the entire globe will watch in awe as the ribbon is cut.
