(FORTUNE Magazine) – North Korea has a reputation for being insular and odd. Well, okay, it is insular and odd. But give the rulers of the Hermit Kingdom credit: The official Website of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is now available for inspection (www.kcna.co.jp).

The country's continuing economic crisis barely gets a mention, except in an article on new baking-soda technology (no joke). But Namibia's national day is noted prominently, as are greetings from Bangladesh and Pakistan and an expression of respect from "an Austrian." North Korean Web journalism is also rich in the vocabulary of insult. To see terms like "flunkeyist" used without irony (as in "The South Korean chief executive recently revealed his flunkeyist nature again at a confab") is a rare treat.

An unofficial Website (www.dpr-korea.com) does happen to mention that all North Korea is on a crash diet, but also notes that reports of eating grass and trees are no big deal: "Koreans consume nonanimal foods as much as possible." This site makes a brave effort to make the place seem normal. No free flow of information? Nonsense--guests at the Pothonggang Hotel can watch CNN! No golf? Sure there is, at the "seldom crowed [sic]" Taesong golf course with "cute female caddies." Nothing to do? Try shooting at the Meari firing range (just 1.5 won per bullet) with the help of a local beauty. It's all laughable, but it has to be laughter through tears.

--Cait Murphy