Remember that North Koreans genuinely believe they are living in the most free country on earth.

> Western governments pearl clutch about freedom and how free and open they are

That's not how to use "pearl clutch". And the UK doesn't do that, and it isn't very free or open, except in the deranged mind of Kier Starmer[0]. Classic liberalism in the UK has long given way to regulation of speech, proud conformity, state dependency, and all the other things that are hallmarks of people who treat the state as a surrogate parent.

[0] https://uk.news.yahoo.com/starmer-defends-uk-commitment-free...