The North Koreans are brutal and fanatical. They are more than worthy of ridicule, but when you are in their country, they are not to be trifled with.

I guess the 20 year old American tourist in question was too stupid to grasp that fact, and unfortunately paid a very high price for an incredibly immature act of vandalism, an act that he had hoped would bring him notoriety when he returned to his frat boy existence back home.

When travelling in the world's danger spots, western tourists should keep it in mind that maybe, just maybe, any childish sense of humor that they possess may not be shared or appreciated by the locals.