Archive for the 'Human Interest' Category

Food Delivery Progressing Well

Published
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DarkSoju
on November 11, 2008
in Food Aid, Human Interest and Humanitarian
. 0 Comments

Last week, I met up with some relief workers monitoring the food distribution in the DPRK.  They are on their first set of well-deserved R&R after about 7 weeks of field work.  In general, they report good co-operation with their North Korean counterparts, although they acknowledge that they are working under difficult circumstances and that they have very little control over the political whirlwinds swirling around them.

I found a new appreciation for what they do, as they explained to me the level of detail in paperwork and record keeping that has to be accounted for.  From the port, to the regional distribution point, to the local schools, to the homes.  For the most part, they are riding on top of the existing socialist food ticket distribution system, but the spot checks that are allowed to happen at the lowest level seem exceptional for DPRK.  After checking the attendance and distribution records for a school, if children are listed as absent or unable to receive their food rations, the monitors have asked and been permitted to visit the families.  But, as reported before, the relief workers have to get one week prior approval.

One person from the US mentioned a little boy who literally froze motionless as the relief worker walked by, smiled and waved.  Not only was this the first caucasian this boy had ever seen in real life, but a representative from America - a country he was taught to hate.

The Christian food monitors introduce themselves as bringing food and help from the people of America and all the food shipments have the USAID logo on each bag.

In addition to the UN World Food Program, the following organizations are currently involved with the distribution of food aid in the DPRK: Mercy Corps, Word Vision, Samaritan’s Purse, Global Resource Services, and Christian Friends of Korea.

As winter nears, traveling the icy and mountainous roads will become more difficult.  According to the aid workers, there will need to be a balance with providing enough of a food supply buffer at the distribution centers and having adequate monitoring.

We wish them well and good health during the next couple months.

NK Refugee Boxer

Published
by
DarkSoju
on October 26, 2008
in Human Interest and Refugees
. 0 Comments

This New York Times article takes a sobering look into the life of an NK refugee.  It is a story of a young female boxer who left DPRK as a young teenager along with her family and made it to South Korea only to face prejudice and other hardships.

“The photos, and the American hip-hop that blares from speakers, are constant reminders of how much Ms. Choi’s life has changed since her family arrived here four years ago. When she began her boxing career in North Korea, she trained daily under portraits of North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-il.”

The boxer and family apparently were well off in North Korea, but the article tells of new realities of living in the South.

Ms. Choi’s father, who had been a successful businessman in the North, has been unable to find work, and the family has been reduced to living mainly on government handouts to the refugees.

“I sometimes miss my life in North Korea and wonder whether I made the right choice,” he said.

On one hand it is another example that while receiving and integrating refugees from the DPRK is the current reality, this situation is not, in the long run, sustainable nor desirable.  The information that is seeping into DPRK needs to be balanced and refrain from painting a picture of the west and South Korea that is unrealistic.

But, on the other hand, the opportunity and hope that this young boxer does have, thrives because she now lives in a democracy where individual merit and ability are recognized and she can now freely decide for herself what is good and right for her.

NK Defectors Headed for Japan

Published
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DarkSoju
on October 25, 2008
in Human Interest, Humanitarian and Refugees
. 0 Comments

This article in Asahi Shinbum is a fascinating glimpse into North Korean Defectors in China seeking asylum in Japan (or, other third-party countries).

The Japanese Embassy in Beijing and the consulate-general in Shenyang have been forced to take in dozens of defectors who have barged through gates and scaled walls seeking refuge.

The existence of the bento, prepared at a Japanese restaurant, is known to few aside from people working in the diplomatic facility.  The food is for “guests” who, as far as the Japanese government is concerned, are not welcome.

The guests are defectors from North Korea who have sought refuge inside the compound.

According to the article, records show that more than 93,000 people went to North Korea between 1959 and 1984 under a repatriation program conducted by the Japanese and North Korean Red Cross societies.  The figure includes 6,600 spouses and children of Japanese nationality.

Both Tokyo and Beijing have bitter memories of an ill-fated attempt by five North Korean defectors to seek refuge at the Shenyang Consulate-General in 2002, an incident which drew an international outcry.

Japanese officials watched impotently as Chinese security officials hauled the defectors from the gates of the compound and took them into custody, provoking criticism of not only the Chinese authorities but also the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

Following the incident, Tokyo and Beijing appear to have agreed to “quietly handle” the repatriation of defectors to Japan and third countries and prevent incidents from catching the public eye.

Korean American Perspective

Published
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DarkSoju
on September 18, 2008
in Human Interest and Pyongyang
. 0 Comments

Here is a recent interview with Christine Ahn, a Korean American who recently visited DPRK.  Many of her views reflect other Korean Americans that have visited North Korea.

Although, I share the many of her views as well, the interview comes across, at times, as being a bit flowery with flattery mixed in.  It’s natural, though.  When visiting North Korea, one gets into a habit of trying to find something - anything - nice to say about the place to the guides and any locals you happen to meet.

And sometimes, this carries on even after returning from North Korea.  To be sure, that is exactly the outcome that the North Koreans would like to have on visiting overseas ethnic Koreans.  They would like nothing better than to have the Korean “diaspora”, who are living in the west, to cast DPRK in favorable light.  Their expectations are that these overseas Koreans should help the motherland - whatever “help” may mean…  In this regard, the Korean-Japanese (Chongryon) are astounding in their loyalty to the DPRK “motherland” - even though they are very much exposed to the modern world.

I’m of the opinion that if North Korea really was so concerned about being in positive light, that they would take solid steps to opening up and making fundamental changes in their country.  Reliance on the words, actions and pocketbooks of overseas Koreans are a poor substitute.

Difference in Sexes: North / South

Published
by
DarkSoju
on September 5, 2008
in Human Interest
. 0 Comments
All girls military band

All girls military band

Here’s a not-so-surprising item about differences in sexes between North and South.

In a bit of a cynical nutshell:

  • In South Korea, women act like men while men are uncommitted, but like sex.
  • In North Korea, men are men: they are less considerate, but at least they take responsibility for their having sex

All I know is that NK girls look hot in their military skirts…

It’s About the People

Published
by
DarkSoju
on August 27, 2008
in Human Interest
. 0 Comments
Young couple posing for pictures at Morangbong

Young couple posing for pictures at Morangbong Hill

Many words - heated and sedated, vengeful and in vain - have been expressed and written about North Korea.  But many times those words do not distinguish between the government of North Korea and the people of North Korea.  While the actions (or in-actions) of the North Korean government receives all the news attention, the human side of the North Korean story gets lost.  It is not a full picture.

Of course, with limited travel and tight restrictions, it is understandably difficult to give proper attention to the people’s story.  But, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.  Let’s not forget that at the lowest rung of this anomaly that is DPRK are real people trying to eke out a simple life.

We should also make a distinction between the people’s story as it relates to North Korean refugees.  There are emotional and tragic stories there, to be sure, but again, not the full picture.

Are there difficulties living there?  Yes.  Is there oppression and fear?  You bet.  But, looking further inside, just beyond the occasional moments of curious gawking, you will find some precious people.

I have met a surprising number of progressive-minded people from North Korea who genuinely acknowledge that change needs to happen to revitalize their country.  The optimistic views of the bright-eyed college students I’ve met, inspire me to hope that one day they will lead sweeping changes into North Korea.

So, that is our goal - that through this blog, you will get a chance to see a version of North Korea that is a little less hyped than your average sensational headline and a little bit more of the human story.