On April 12, 1992, President Kim Il Sung arranged a luncheon in honour of Norodom Sihanouk, king of Cambodia, and his party who were on a visit to Korea.
Looking around at the guests, Kim Il Sung said to them that he would tell an interesting story.
All eyes were focused on him.
Kim Il Sung started telling his story.
It happened at a bus stop.
An old man was reading a newspaper, sitting on a bench. Another old man sitting next to him asked:
“Any news?”
“The Cambodian King Norodom has arrived in Pyongyang.”
“Then Sihanouk must be accompanying him.”
“What do you mean? … Sihanouk is accompanying whom?”
“Sihanouk is always with him, which means both of them must have come together.”
“Oh, you’re so ignorant. Norodom and Sihanouk are one and the same person; Norodom is his surname and Sihanouk is his given name.”
“Have I been confused? It’s very kind of you to explain it to me.”
Looking at each other, the two old men laughed.
When Kim Il Sung ended his story, the party burst out laughing.
Both King Sihanouk and Queen Monique split their sides with laughter, drying their tears with handkerchiefs. The President also laughed pleasantly.
