Tolley outlined new equipment he said would boost the spies’ capabilities without giving them away to North Korean troops. For starters, he said his men could use a lightweight sensor able to “characterize what’s in a facility from standoff distance.” In addition, the commandos would benefit from a High Frequency radio whose signal cannot be tracked back to its origin. Finally — and most dramatically — Tolley said a wireless power transmission system would allow his troops to jump into North Korea without heavy loads of batteries for their radios and other gear.

It might be part of a disinformation effort.

But can this really be true? First, given the way gravity works — yes, even in North Korea — how would these guys get back out again? Jet packs? Second, this would be an act of war, and haven’t we sort of reserved that as North Korea’s exclusive privilege since 1953? Third, assuming that this is true, why would a serving general officer would say it in a room full of people — any room full of any people — thus increasing the risk of compromise and capture? Fourth, even if it is true, why would we hand the North Koreans a propaganda gift like this? Fifth, North Korea’s underground airfields aren’t necessarily invisible to our satellites, which makes the story’s premise questionable.

The report seemed so suspicious to me that I went back to the original source to see if there was more context for the quotation. Although it does name BG Tolley as its original source, it doesn’t claim that Tolley actually said this on the record or in the presence of the reporter, David Axe; instead, it says that Tolley told this to “a conference in Florida.” We don’t know what conference, where, or who was present, which means that this could be third-hand information (and thus, a misunderstanding, or outright disinformation). Nor does it say when these missions occurred.

Within the next few days, we can expect to see an official denial, but a story like this one can’t be untold. No matter how implausible it all sounds, there are just too many people who would never believe a denial. I haven’t decided whether I’m one of those people, but given how little our government does about the things it knows damn well North Korea is doing, you have to wonder why we’d take such profound risks to gather yet more intelligence to not act on.

UPDATE: David Axe seems to acknowledge that he misunderstood BG Tolley. Interesting that AFP, whose story has already circulated globally, quotes the Army’s denial but fails to note that Axe, the original source, now doubts what he wrote, and that it also appears to have misquoted the National Defense Industrial Association journal. [Axe has since retracted this retraction.] I don’t think Axe made this up intentionally, but it’s a case study in how sloppy and false reporting gets around the world before the truth catches up. Why were so many papers so quick to believe this before asking obvious questions and going back to reread the original source?

The Kim family has always had a good intention policy toward Protestants in allowing their work and Faith in God to be operational in North Korea.
...
I advocate Churches to be built as Christians are good Citizens in obeying laws and not attempting to overthrow regimes. They are of God and Kim is of communism. The Christianization of North Korea would create a peaceful and nourished people, strong and independent.

In the meantime, Kim Jong Un is looking at things

... (Many helpful hints about responsibility, citizenship, the household, ways to prepare tasty pocket lint, and exercise omitted)
And now, Bridal Beauty Tips:

(One) We, Ri Sol-ju, the blushing bride who blushes at the sight of an iron foundry with a rainbow behind it in the sky, suggests that all alert Sisters should pitch in to remove unsightly expired loved ones from doorways, footpaths, and drainpipes.
...
Mail Bag (Contents stamped as Not Yet Treasonable by Postal Internal Security Police): Reader 65932 requests Block Captain’s permission to ask, “What Is a Typical Day of Ri Sol-ju?”

As long as this is not a trick question by a U.N. counterspy impostor, We are happy to answer! Here goes: Reveille Bugle sounds. Vanquish bedbugs on rising. Visit bank. Interrogate household staff. Luncheon. Try on furs. Re-interrogate household staff. Convey criticism of luncheon to D.P.R.K. First Foodie Kim Jong-un over dinner. (Next few hours: state secret.) Screening of favorite Kim Jong-un film, “Xanadu,” until Curfew Siren sounds Lights Out—although, as Power Station Pyongyang 325 has yet again been sabotaged by backstabbing laggards in the Chuchu coal pits, they already were.

The film's makers (MGM) have had financial troubles, but this film may just solve that problem. That depends on how many explosions there are. Too few, and MGM will be back in big trouble. So far, we know of only four atomic bombs launched by North Korea.

The premise is too ludicrous even to suspend belief. This may be the worst idea for a remake in history, assuming the story is not some kind of practical joke, because I find it difficult to believe anyone with a functioning brain would greenlight such a moronic idea.

The premise is too ludicrous even to suspend belief. This may be the worst idea for a remake in history, assuming the story is not some kind of practical joke, because I find it difficult to believe anyone with a functioning brain would greenlight such a moronic idea.