{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/65670352d7b5d40012be7324/694422f69a00ace34fd3d2c3?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"The time the Stickies went to North Korea ","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/65670352d7b5d40012be7324/1767634642484-c7516554-cebb-49b3-8892-6faae68af4f2.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>North Korea is one of the world’s most secretive states – known for its dictators who are treated like gods and an iron-clad grip on their citizens. Back in 1988, six members of the Official IRA made their way to North Korea to receive state of the art training – some were expelled from the country after a drunken brawl. The unusual alliance came as secretary general of the Irish Workers Party, Sean Garland, allegedly laundered millions of fake dollars for the Kim dynasty.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Olivia Peden is joined by journalist and author John Sweeney, who has visited the strange nation.</p><p><br></p><p>This podcast was originally published in February 2025. </p>","author_name":"Belfast Telegraph"}