North Korean painter brushes away taboos about Kim Jong Il

North Korea's recent rocket launch and its reappointment of Kim Jong Il as military chief are reminders to the world of the North Korean leader's potential ability to threaten regional security.

But one North Korean refugee is giving the world a look at Kim Jong Il in a much less austere light, lying on his back in a hospital bed.

"Kim Jong Il is sick, so the child is giving him Coke as a medicine," Artist Sun Mu explains. "I chose Coke as a symbol of North Korea's need to open up."

Artist Sun Mu was brought up to worship Kim prior to defecting to South Korea eight years ago. Sun Mu readily admits any of his images would have gotten him sent to prison or executed in the North.

[Read full article by Kurt Achin, Voice of America]