Earlier quoted context omitted.
> As is often stated, the freedom of speech is not the freedom of consequences. The problem with such a trite comment is that is is just as true in North Korea. You are complete Free™ to say what you like about Supreme Leader Grand Marshal Kim Jong-un, but you know - there might be consequences.
Not true. Freedom of speech in the US prevents the US government for levying consequences against you for what you said. This is not the case in North Koreas
That's only because they couldn't care less what you or I say most almost all of the time.
Instead, democratic governments (especially violence-shy Western ones) use the Official Secrets Act [or local equivalent] to prevent the people that are privy to information the governments do care about from ever talking about it.