Former bank worker Thomas Hui has a fascination with badges from North Korea and has amassed a collection of more than 100 featuring former leaders of the Communist state.
The rare items, which are smuggled out of North Korea by Chinese people who do business there, are prized by collectors. Some sell for $600 or more.
Two pins featuring Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in suits and military dress. Photo: Reuters/Bobby Yip
Hui, 37, began collecting them after visiting Pyongyang in 2008 as a tourist. Badges of Kim II Sung, the state’s founder, are among his favorites.
“Why do I like the badges? It’s not even the propaganda, the red style, but when you look at the badges, you can get the message from Mr Kim’s eyes that you need to believe him, trust him. That experience [is something] I’ve never had in Hong Kong before,” Hui explained.
Although he can’t confirm the badges are authentic, he said academic experts on North Korea have told him they are the real thing.
He hopes to one day write a book about his collection.
Words/Photos/Video: Reuters
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