As the date draws near, training may start at 7 am and last till midnight. That's not the only burden. Much training is in winter, and gulping hot soup causes lips to crack. Beating is the routine penalty for any infraction - such as peering to see what the child behind is doing. And woe betide anyone who plays a wrong card - above all if this shows up as a blemish on the Dear Leader's beaming face.
Absolute perfection is demanded.
Parents too are burdened. They have to provide the soup, and recently the cards as well - which used to be free. Yet even the Chosun Ilbo, no friend of Pyongyang, admits it's not all bad. Participants are excused being mobilized for farm labor. They even get presents.