The Democratic People's Republic of Korea announced that Kim Jong Il's personal coin maker has stepped down.

Mr. Kim keeps a gold coin in his mouth at all times.


Sir Cunnan Backley has been making coins since the mid-sixteenth century, and has been employed by the Great Leader of North Korea since 1994. Knighted in 1553 under Queen Jane (the "nine days queen"), he has been a widely respected elder in the industry for centuries.