A North Korean Speaks On the Protests Against American Beef Imports
July 9th, 2008
By WILLIAM KERN
Print
Once again, from the Daily North Korea of South Korea, an interview with someone who is said to actually live in the Hermit Kingdom. According to the newspaper, which is staffed in part by North Korean defectors, this member of the ‘North Korean Elite class,’ says he is fully aware of the mass protests in South Korea over U.S. beef, and in his words:
“I can speak not only for myself. No North Korean citizen, apart from on holidays, ever eats meat. When I see protests against the import of U.S. beef, I only wish it could be sent to the North.”
When the interviewer - clearly opposed to the protests over U.S. beef - asks what it would be like if a North Korean protested in such a fashion, the man, using the name An Chul-jin, replies:
“I can’t even imagine a citizen beating an agent of the People’s Safety Agency. Even if it’s just a verbal attack, such a person would be automatically sent to the Labor Training Corps. As a consequence, citizens never speak out against them, even if the agent is at fault. If they physically assault an agent, they are taken to a reeducation camp. They’re the ones with the power, so citizens are automatically captured, and sometimes subject to terrible acts.”
By Jung Kwon Ho
July 8, 2008
South Korea - The Daily North Korea - Original Article (English)
Dandong, China: On July 3, the Daily NK published the contents of a letter about the candle-light vigils over U.S. beef in South Korea, written by a North Korean citizen under the pseudonym An Chul-jin . The letter indicated that the vigils, which have been going on for over two months, have caused deep concern in North Korea.
Believing that there’s an interest in the views of North Korean citizens regarding the nationwide confusion over the portests, the Daily NK sought an interview with the writer of the letter. The request was granted and the interview took place in Dandong, China, just across the border with Shinuiju, North Korea, on the afternoon of July 6.
The following is the interview with An Chul-jin, who belongs to the elite-class of North Koreans.
Daily NK: We know that the food crisis in North Korea is severe. What is your reason for taking an interest in the South Korean “beef issue?”
An Chul-jin: Since coming here to China, I have seen the candlelight protests on South Korean TV almost every day. It’s hard to say that I can speak on behalf of all North Koreans, but while watching the candlelight protest campaign, my thoughts are that South Korea is not a completely realized democratic society. Rather, it is a country in a transitional stage of development.
Daily NK: Why are you concerned about South Korean society and why do you have such concern over its state of progress?
An Chul-jin: In North Korea, a majority fall into the poverty-level class. All products used by ordinary citizens are made in China. Accordingly, the sense of expectation about China is high. We also have great expectations about South Korea. On the economic and ethical fronts, we think South Korea surpasses China.
In an entire year, a North Korean worker earns less than a single month’s salary of a South Korean. Yet when I see the image of South Korean people fighting every day, it almost seems as though South Koreans don’t appreciate such an abundant society.
READ ON AT WORLDMEETS.US, along with contuning foreign press coverage of the South Korean protests against American beef.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 at 10:22 pm and is filed under Human Rights, Death, Freedom of the Press, Communism, TV, Death Penalty, Food Shortages, Famine, Foreign Policy, Law Enforcement, Democracy, Health, North Korea, Original Reporting, Freedom of Speech, Health Care, Foreign Politics, Social Commentary, Media, Law & Legal Matters. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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