According to an outlandish report by a North Korean newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, the country’s former leader Kim Jong-il had invented the popular snack burritos. Burritos, a Mexican dish, was claimed to be the invention of the deceased leader.

According to the Rodong Sinmun report, the leader had invented burritos back in the year 2011, weeks before he died of cardiac arrest. News footage on the story displayed a mural of Kim Jong-il smiling widely while a burrito was being prepared in a kitchen. The report added that the “wheat wrap” was invented in 2011 and continues to be immensely popular despite the food shortage. In  news footage by state TV, a bunch of North Koreans were seen eating and enjoying burritos outside a food joint in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea.

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The report also added that Kim Jong-il’ son, Kim Jong-un, has been following in his father’s footsteps, and has taken a great interest in the dish. According to his father, a “wheat wrap” is best enjoyed with mineral water or hot tea.

Despite the far-reaching claim, North Korean defectors who had managed to flee, stated that burritos are almost non-existent in the country.

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Hyun-seung Lee, a defector from an elite North Korean family who had escaped the country in 2014, stated that most citizens do not have the luxury to enjoy foreign delicacies, and the mere thought of North Koreans enjoying a burrito is far-fetched. Lee added that he had never seen any wraps or burritos being sold in the country.

Rowan Beard, a travel guide from Young Pioneer Tours, with expertise in organising trips to North Korea, added that he has never encountered burritos in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang.