An overview of North Korea

For anyone new to the North Korean situation, here is a good overview by Michael Malice.
He calls it 70 years of sorrow.
Another good presentation by Michael in the Voice and Exit festival.

Here is the link to Voice and Exit page.

http://www.voiceandexit.com/talks/

Korean war was decided 15 months before it happened

I was reading this article from global research when I came across this paragraph which if true, shows that the Korean war was planned.

https://www.globalresearch.ca/who-really-controls-the-world/5445239

 "The Elite members operate in absolute unison against public benefit, against a better life for mankind in which the individual is free to develop his or her innate creativity, a life free of war and bloodshed. James Forrestal, the first Secretary of Defence of the US, became aware of Elite intrigue and had, according to Jim Marrs, accumulated 3,000 pages of notes to be used for writing a book. He died in mysterious circumstances and was almost certainly murdered. His notes were taken away and a sanitised version made public after one year! Just before he died, almost fifteen months before the outbreak of the Korean War, he had revealed that American soldiers would die in Korea!"

This is in regards to a James Forrestal. the first secretary of defense of the united states.
He was right up there with the big wigs and no doubt was privy to secrets and plans of powerful people behind the scenes.
He kept a diary I am assuming with some damning evidence and died under mysterious circumstances. it was ruled a suicide but the general consensus was that he was murdered. (suicided)

I looked into it a bit and was not able to find much.
Apparantly the diary was taken by some department and an edited version of it was published later.

You can read some more here

http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.544.139&rep=rep1&type=pdf

Review meeting of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child

As we know, North Korea has an abysmal record on human rights.
They were confronted with awkward questions regarding their conduct in regards to child rights and were struggling to come up with answers.
These delegates would have to take a special course in lying before attending...

http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?num=14764&cataId=nk02500

Looks like starvation for North Koreans is coming back

The article puts it down to a drought at the beginning of the year, sanctions and heavy spending on missile development.
The people on the collective farms suffered most because of the bad harvest and they cant get to the market.
It also says that guards and civilians are sneaking into China again to steal food.
I didn't know this was possible with the increased surveillance and electrified fences.

http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?num=14767&cataId=nk01500

North Korean regimes economic mistakes over the years

Stumbled upon this short video giving a timeline of the regimes economic blunders over the decades.

It's only 4 minutes long but it gives an overview of how the south overtook the north in economic strength.

And here is the video

Communism and Human Rights

  Nowadays when hearing about Communism and Communists states, some people may imagine radical movements or even brutal massacres, but the idea of communism is old and can even be traced to ancient Greece. Indeed, Plato was probably the first to mention about Communism and establishment of an Utopia.

  However, although Communism being a neutral term which is mainly associated to the field of Economics, the structure is vulnerable toward dictators, to use it as a tool for greater power. Looking back at the history of Communism, we can find Stalin's policy to "deliberately reduce country's population into half"; Mao's "Cultural Revolution" which caused millions of casualties, and Pol Pot's "Khmer Rouge" which killed 1/4 of Cambodians.

  Seemingly optimistic for the poor that "wealthy class be knocked down and wealth be equalized", the poor class eventually realized that it was a lie, as the wealth the Communists snatched from the bourgeoisie only went to Communists themselves rather than for all. Many Communist regimes also ban religions, in order to let the people worship the party or the founder as their god. (It is true that even modern days, Stalin, Mao, and the Kim family is worshipped as gods by many people in those countries)

  I'm not saying that people of non-Communist countries are all protected with Human Rights (some Islamic countries are also notorious for lack of freedom and equality), but the nature of Communism being Economic, and easy for governors to abuse, the issue of Human Rights becomes less important for Communist states. Governors, and sometimes even civilians, prioritize the Nation ahead of rights, thus people are willing to sacrifice themselves as long as it benefits the country.

"University Student’s Group for Unification (통일대학생동아리연합)" is a united group of college students from 9 universities in South Korea for the unification of Korea

Some South Korean college students and some college students who were former North Korean refugees organized a united group of 9 school clubs representing 9 universities in South Korea.

The official name of the group is "University Student's Group for Unification (통일대학생동아리연합)".

Even though their majors at universities are different and they are attending different universities, there is one common thing between them. They get together to be friends to each other and discuss the ways toward the harmonious unification of Korea.

The list of members of "University Student's Group for Unification".

The Catholic University of Korea (가톨릭대학교),
Korea University (고려대학교),
Dongguk University (동국대학교),
Sogang University (서강대학교),
Sookmyung Women's University (숙명여자대학교),
Yonsei University (연세대학교),
Chungang University (중앙대학교),
Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (한국외국어대학교),
Hanyang University (한양대학교)

https://www.facebook.com/Tongdaedongyeon/

They participate in volunteer service at the Seoul National Cemetery. They meet regularly four times a year and enjoy sports games together such as skiing.

I think this is a good sample of the harmonious unification of Korea. Such group activities of college students will have a great influence on spreading the idea of Korea's harmonious unification.

http://www.rfa.org/korean/weekly_program/defectors_life/defectorsklife-09292017103253.html

"University Student's Group for Unification" participated in a Forum hosted by "the Institute for Peace Affairs" to discuss the unification of Korean Peninsula.  

South Korean college students and college students who were former North Korean refugees held a meeting whose topic is "Let us talk about the unification of Korea".

"University Student's Group for Unification" hosted indoor sports games for members to be more intimate with each other.

"University Student's Group for Unification" received an award from Korea National Cemetery because of its dedicated volunteer service for the cemetery.

Members of "University Student's Group for Unification" took pictures in front of Korea National Cemetery. The cemetery was established for veterans who died in Korean independence Movement under the Japanese Colonial Rule, Korean War, and Vietnam War.

Sources of Pictures: Jae Duk Seo, Vice-President of "University Student's Group for Unification"

Animation GIF image: Susie Han (Susie Maria Han), Woodbridge High School, Irvine, California

NK Refugees Human Rights Association of Korea sent 900 kilogram rice in 900 bottles.

NK Refugees Human Rights Association of Korea, a non-profit organization for North Koreans, sent 1984 pound (900 kilograms) rice in 900 bottles.

North Korea is short of in rice because rice fields were damaged by a flood.
The non-profit organization wanted to directly help North Koreans by sending rice in a bottle.
Hopes for the unification of Korea are delivered in the bottle with rice.

Kim Jong Un is spending money to develop missiles while North Korean people are suffering from starvation.

http://pub.chosun.com/client/news/viw.asp?cate=C01&mcate=M1006&nNewsNumb=20161222381&nidx=22382

Health and Environmental issues in North Korea

  As the frequency of nuclear test has skyrocketed recently, international peace has become a hot topic. However, the Health issues of local and neighboring people can be another major concern.

  The continuous nuke tests so far have caused earthquakes and radiation pollution in the related zones. A defector describes that children born with deformity and nuclear-affected workers are often observed. It is also said that residents near the affected zones have high chance to develop leukemia and other kinds of cancer. Lifespan of local people is shorter compared with other places.

  The pollution has even crossed the border, into China. It has caused panic among residents of north-eastern provinces of China, especially those living close to North Korean border. Radioactive pollutants can 'travel' through air, food and water, causing severe health problems. Moreover, since they are invisible, it becomes easy for governments to cover up the facts

.

Duru Middle School in Sejong City donated the award's prize money to North Korean refugees.

Duru Middle School in Sejong City donated the award's prize money to North Korean refugees.
The amount of the prize money is 800,000 Korean Won, equal to about 720 dollars.
It is a big amount of money to middle school students.

The Discussion team from Duru Middle School won a discussion contest for the unification of Korea.
In the meantime to prepare for the contest they realized how miserable the lives of North Korean refugees before their arrival to South Korea. All the discussion team members unanimously decided to donate their award's prize money for North Korean refugee.

http://www.edunews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=41592

China crackdown on North Koreans hiding in China intesifying

I asked why this is happening and was looking around for answers and came across some different articles.

What I am getting is:
China does not want large numbers of refugees in its North Eastern Provinces since it could destabilize the region against the Chinese Government. (that's odd because there are already large numbers of North Korean refugees in this area)
It wants to keep good relations with the North Korean Regime by sending them back.
Maybe Seoul and China have an under the table agreement about the refugees.

Anyway, there are a few articles here for reading and I've taken a few quotes out of some of them.

I especially like the first one here. the person in the Quora said something interesting about the United States being so friendly with Saudi Arabia but conveniently forgetting to mention Saudi Arabias human rights abuses. since United States doesn't want to be associated with a human rights abusive country, they tell the corporate media not to mention it.
Same thing with China I guess....

 

https://www.quora.com/Why-does-China-arrest-and-repatriate-refugees-from-North-Korea-and-send-them-to-Pyongyang-rather-than-to-Seoul 

http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?num=14755&cataId=nk00100

 https://theowp.org/china-cracking-down-on-north-korean-refugees/

https://www.pri.org/stories/2014-12-05/china-cracking-down-missionary-lifeline-helps-north-korean-refugees

This story is a good reminder of why we try to help North Koreans

Came across this story today.

Ex female prison guard tells of her time in camp 12 and others.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4458844/Thousands-North-Korea-s-prisons-face-butchered.html#ixzz4fxJzQ3NU

Crystal meth epidemic in North Korea

From what I have been reading, this is becoming a big problem especially in the north of the country where the average North Korean is using it as well now.

It started way back in the 70's under Kim Il Sung to raise revenue for the regime but now there are many privately run meth labs producing the drug and much of this is being distributed amongst the population.

From what I have been reading, most North Koreans do not know about the adverse effects and are getting hooked on it.
They take it because it increases awareness in that it allows the user to stay awake longer and be more alert. they also see it as a painkiller and relaxant in place of medicine which is hard to get.

This is very bad because it will ruin individuals and families. it will be a degradation of family unity and a fraying of society in general

You can look online and see the effects of regular use of the drug and it's not pretty.
I won't include any pictures of it in this post

This article is fairly recent. 2013

http://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1323432/high-alert-north-koreas-crystal-meth-epidemic  

Short video from the wall street journal

This article from the Dailynk goes back to 2007

https://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?num=11389&cataId=nk01500



This one was written by an intern Brian Liu for NKSC.
A good paper with lots of links to follow up on.

Kang Cheol Hwan is the founder of NKSC.
he was the author of the "Aquariums of Pyongyang: Ten years in the North Korean gulag"

http://nksc.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/121815_A_Runaway_Train_BL.pdf

and some more reading here

https://www.hrnk.org/uploads/pdfs/SCG-FINAL-FINAL.pdf

You can see only 30 Hairstyles in North Korea

 

We all know that North Koreans enjoy far less degree of freedom compared with developed nations, even in the aspect of Hairstyles!

  In North Korea, civilians have only 30 choices of "Officially designated" hairstyles.
The number 30 may seem quite generous, but when looking closer, the styles bear little differences, as though the same head taken from different directions.

This policy was initiated after Kim Jong Un took power, but ironically his own style (resembling the shape of telephone) is not included among the 30 styles. And of course dyeing hair is out of question.

  He only allowed 28 previously (18 for female, 10 for male), and recently tried to provide "Equality" and thus making 15 for both genders respectively. But Kim still enjoys the privilege no civilians are entitled to, and never suffers from anything the civilians encounter everyday.

NKDB (Data Base Center for North Korean Human Rights) published a report about the severe human rights crisis in North Korea.

NKDB (Data Base Center for North Korean Human Rights), a non-profit organization in South Korea published a report about the severe human rights crisis in North Korea.

I think this is what Korean Ministry of Unification has to do.
I wonder if Korean Ministry of Unification is financially supporting "Data Base Center for North Korean Human Rights".

http://www.rfa.org/korean/in_focus/human_rights_defector/nkhrinfo-10022017163004.html

NKDB (Data Base Center for North Korean Human Rights was established in 2003 to highlight the human rights situation inside North Korea, to collect information about the North Korean government's human rights violations, and to protect and support North Koreans.

NKinUSA is a certifying organization for PVSA (President's Volunteer Service Award)

NKinUSA (North Korean Refugees in the United States) is a certifying organization (CO) for PVSA (President's Volunteer Service Award). A certifying organization (CO) of PVSA is an organization that has been granted authority through an application and review process to administer the PVSA.

Recipients of PVSA (President's Volunteer Service Award) must be a United States Citizen or a lawful admitted permanent resident of the United States.
PVSA awards are issued for service hours within a 12 month time period.
PVSA awards are issued for volunteer service only.
Service must be with an approved certifying organization that is legally established in the United States. NKinUSA is the certifying organization of PVSA.

If you participate in the volunteer service for NKinUSA and North Korean refugees, NKinUSA will certify your volunteer hours.

How to register as a volunteer at PVSA (President's Volunteer Service Award)?

How to keep recording the volunteer hours at PVSA (President's Volunteer Service Award)?

After your volunteer service hours reach a certain amount of hours, then you are qualified to receive Gold level, Silver Level, Bronze Level of President's Volunteer Service Award.

Volunteer hours are measured over a 12-month period.
The PVSA Awards are designated based on cumulative hours.
The PVSA awards are offered in multiple levels and are designated to recognize each milestone of our service achievement.

Along with the ultimate honor of president recognition, recipients of PVSA (President's Volunteer Service Award) will receive a personalized certificate, official pin, and a congratulatory letter from the President of the United States.



          Gold                  Silver                Bronze

U.S. Congress agreed to extended North Korean Human Rights Law that was originally passed in 2014

U.S. Congress agreed to extended North Korean Human Rights Law that was originally passed in 2014.

It is a good piece of news to North Korean refugees because they are allowed to enter into the USA according to the law.

There are about 210 North Korean refugees living in the USA. Are they satisfied with their new lives in the USA?

Look at China

  The Red China (CCP) has almost always been thinking only of their own interests. They seldom care about Human Rights issue about North Koreans.

  For example, many North Korean defectors who successfully crossed into China became victims of human trafficking by local Chinese (including some females being sold as brides). And if they are caught by Chinese police, they will be sent back to North Korea to face severe tortures.

  CCP has been notorious for its dismissal of Human Rights including against its own nations. Politicians in the world should start to collaborate from Human Rights and Justice perspective rather than conventional economy and political perspective.

A Fear We Can Defeat- A Poem on North Korea

Imagine living in a country where fear seems to wait behind every corner.
Where you have grown so accustomed to it's haunting shadow
It isn't considered fear at all,
But a lifestyle.
Not an emotion or feeling
or anything that gives a mere hope of something better
But a lifestyle.
We've all felt fear
but take a moment and imagine
Having ears to hear and eyes to see
and not being able to speak,
to stand,
to act
against the terrible, horrid, injustice you meet.
The pain, 
the heartaches, 
the suffering,
the forced beliefs.
Behind guarded walls that seem to increase
and we begin uncovering
North Korea and their governing.
And every day
North Koreans are dealing with fear
of a government that smothers their tears.
Food shortages,
Isolation,
Arrest,
Prison Camps,
Propaganda,
Labor,
Disease,
Public Executions.
The list could go on forever.
But think,
And you might need a moment to let this really sink,
Of all the things in this world that are unjust,
why would I mention something so hard to discuss?
The reality; 
We can't let something with so much weight get overlooked in this state.
And for all those who are thinking, 'Why?'
Because you have a right to try.
Because this isn't some story you've heard about in your books with a happily ever after at the end.
This is reality.
And doesn't it seem a bit unfair when all they can do is look at our lives and stare?
They start to compare, thinking, 'if only someone would care.'
And I only wish they could understand we're reaching out our hand
All we need is for you to take a stand-
You have ears to hear and eyes to see
And the chance to speak,
to stand,
to act,
Against the terrible, horrid, injustice they meet.
This fear may seem a feat
But together, it can slowly, surely, be beat.
--Emmaleigh Finch

North Koreans eat Grass in 21st century

  In North Korea, if a tourist  takes picture, they have to be approved by the government.
Pictures with soldiers are forbidden, and showing poor people is also not allowed, for "creating a negative image of the country".

 A tourist managed to take picture and share to the world. Those are stunning and you won't believe those people are living in the "happiest country" of 21st century. One of the most shocking picture is a middle-aged citizen picking grass into a bag he carries. He is probably bringing them home for dinner with family?! You can see more photos here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2624164/North-Korea-Starving-people-child-labourers-dilapidated-homes-appear-harrowing-new-images-taken-inside-rogue-state.html


  It's said that the regime even released an instruction for how to consume grass in a healthy and delicious way.