SEOUL: An apparent North Korean claim to have uncovered a “unicorn’s lair” that created an Internet storm was partly the result of mistranslation by Pyongyang’s much-mocked propaganda machine.
In a report carried on its English service last week, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) cited archaeologists who “reconfirmed” the discovery of “a lair of the unicorn” ridden by King Tongmyong.
Tongmyong is a quasi-mythical figure — similar to the legend of King Arthur — credited with founding Kokuryo, one of the three ancient kingdoms of Korea, in 37BC.
The KCNA item was reported by sections of the foreign media as a claim by North Korea to have proved the existence of unicorns.
But the original Korean text of the report suggests the archaeologists were trumpeting the discovery of a site associated with the Tongmyong legend — not proving its factual base in history.
In Korean, the site is known as Kiringul. The Kirin is a mythical chimerical creature depicted in various forms and sometimes with large antlers — a characteristic that may have prompted the “unicorn” translation.
“Gul” simply means cave.
“An ancient poem says that is the place where King Tongmyong’s unicorn lived and where the king is said to have ascended to the heaven on the unicorn’s back,” said Noh Tae-Don, a history professor at Seoul National University.
“What they are saying is that they have found a site associated with this legend,” Noh said.
North Korea’s state media is renowned for making bold claims, especially when it comes to embellishing the personality cults of the ruling Kim dynasty.
The late Kim Jong-Il, who died a year ago, reportedly carded a 38-under par in his maiden round of golf, striking between five and 11 holes-in-one depending on various accounts of the feat.
When Kim died, state radio and newspapers reported a series of “natural” phenomena, including owls that flew through condolence venues, a Manchurian crane that bowed its head in grief, and a “thunderous” cracking of ice around Kim’s supposed birthplace at the revered Mount Paekdu.
Like others before it, the KCNA “unicorn” report served a distinct propaganda purpose.
The discovery of the site, it concluded, “proves that Pyongyang was a capital city of ancient Korea.”
North Korea has always argued that Pyongyang, and not South Korea’s Seoul, is the true historical capital of Korea and cradle of Korean civilization.
In 1993, the regime claimed to have excavated — near Pyongyang — the remains of Tangun, the legendary founder of the first Korean kingdom in 2333BC.
N. Korean ‘unicorn’ claim lost in translation
N. Korean ‘unicorn’ claim lost in translation
Pakistan warns of landslides, avalanche in hilly areas, urges caution
- At least nine people were killed when an avalanche struck a house in Chitral district this week
- Heavy snowfall may trigger road closures in several areas from Jan. 26 to 27, Met Office says
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Sunday warned of possible landslides and avalanches in hilly regions in the country’s north, urging residents, travelers and tourists to exercise caution.
Cloudy weather with intermittent rain, thunderstorm and snowfall is expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan and upper Punjab, while heavy rain with moderate to intense snowfall are likely in hilly areas on Jan. 26-27. Rain or thunderstorms are also likely in southern Punjab and upper Sindh during this period.
Heavy snowfall may cause road closure, slippery conditions in Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galliyat, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noushki, Harnai and Zhob, according to the PMD.
“[There is a] possibility of the landslides/avalanche in hilly areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and [Azad] Kashmir during the period,” the Met Office said in a statement.
“Tourists are advised to remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary traveling during the forecast period.”
The PMD statement came two days after at least nine people were killed while an injured child was rescued after an avalanche struck a house in KP’s Chitral district, according to officials.
Rescuers evacuated dozens of residents and tourists as heavy snow blocked roads in Khyber, South Waziristan and Swat districts, where authorities cleared routes and provided food, clothing and bedding, the Rescue 1122 service said.
Tens of thousands of tourists flock to Pakistan’s scenic north every winter to witness snowfall, often neglecting warnings from disaster management authorities.
In Jan. 2022, at least 21 people, including children, died after they were stuck in freezing temperatures during a snowstorm in the Pakistani hill station of Murree.
