it was pretty obvious that he was lying his butt off.
I strongly disagree with this. What the hell would North Korea care if he had a US tattoo? He was a giant white American man who became nationally famous portraying Americans in film.
He was given a cushy life of privilege. As described in the film, he eventually embraced it and at some point in your own existence the line blurs between "propaganda" and "reality". His reality was a gifted life in North Korea. He would be compelled to fit in, and as is normal and observable among all humans, he would himself feel obligated to remove his own tattoo.
The idea that he was forcibly put under surgery and is now lying about it suggests nothing he is saying is believable, which is suspect in itself considering how obviously privileged his life actually was. It would also lead one to suspect he endured more tortures and oppression. But do you really think so? It doesn't fit with reality.
The reality is by having him pampered his whole life, he presents an undeniable mark of North Korean success. His entire life becomes a valid testament to North Korean propaganda. For even himself cannot see the blurred lines as the propaganda became his life. 40 years down the road he is literally incapable of not praising North Korea, not because of brain washing or fear of retribution, but because he has actually lived the charmed life.
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