It couldn't have been more ironic. As the heir apparent of reclusive North Korea was under arrest yesterday for trying to sneak his son into Disneyland, the rest of its children were having their daily dose of anti-Western brainwashing.
The indoctrination of this state's children into what can only be described as the "Kim cult" starts as soon as they can talk and, God forbid, think for themselves.
Little were the children of North Korea aware that the son of their leader, Mr Kim Jung-il, had been detained at Tokyo airport for reportedly attempting to bring his four-year-old to see Mickey Mouse. But how could the next generation of one of the most closed societies in the world have been aware of the stir caused by the arrest in the West? Little touches North Korea from outside. Radio, newspapers and books are controlled by "The Party".
Even those privileged to own a television set can view only light entertainment and patriotic drama on either of the state's two channels.
Thirteen-year-old Kim Chol Min is a soccer fanatic. He plays for the Pyongyang No 1 Senior Middle School team. But he has never heard of Manchester United. Asked who his favourite player was, he replied "Pele". His favourite European team was "Brazil".
Asked how he felt about the World Cup soccer finals being hosted partly in the bordering "enemy" territory of South Korea next summer, he looked at me blankly. He had not known.
It is impossible for the youngsters of Pyongyang to escape the Kim cult. Millions of dollars have been spent in this showpiece city on building massive monuments to the state's founder, Kim il-Sung, and his son, Kim Jung-il, while thousands starve in the countryside.
At the 30-metre bronze statue of the deceased "great leader" yesterday, a group of primary school children marched forward, bowed reverently and quickly marched away again.
A visit to the No 1 Senior Middle School was stark evidence that North Korea's schools are one of the main channels of instilling loyalty. One pupil said Kim il-Sung was as important to the state as was the sun.
A 14ft by 12ft colour portrait of Kim snr and jnr was hanging in the hallway. Every one of the classrooms in the school, with 1,500 pupils, had pictures of father and son.
There is even a special party meeting room for the students who have joined up.