The Great Escape

          

Immediately following North Korea's third nuclear test in February 2013, I remember seeing images of Koreans on television. Many were fleeing North Korea to China in an attempt to escape the nightmarish living conditions. "Like other dictatorships, North Korea has an elite ruling class that enjoys some basic privileges of modern life, such as indoor plumbing, automobiles, meat, coffee and a few luxury goods. There's a middle stratum that has sufficient food and, occasionally, new clothes, but not much else." 

             

           There are many who are starving and can't afford housing or receive basic healthcare. There are also rumors of labor camps."Navi Pillay, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, called in January for an international investigation into what she said may be crimes against humanity, including torture and executions of political prisoners in North Korean camps. She said Pyongyang's network of political prison camps is believed to confine at least 200,000 people and has been the scene of rapes, torture, executions and slave labor."

           

          The images I witnessed on CNN, spoke to me of man's innate ability to demand change and to do whatever it takes to have the life he desires. I saw people being brave, risking everything to escape the dictatorship that strangled their dreams in hope of finding something better. There are many people, seekers, looking to escape the harsh dictates of realities and relationships that no longer work for them. People are beginning to demand our world change. What would it take?

            

         I wanted to know what was really happening in this part of the world. What if having more awareness leads to multiple choices?  I began searching for someone to speak with. It was not easy to find someone. After several weeks I found a wonderful man, Sanghun Kim, to shed some light on what the conflict in North Korea means to all of us. Below is a transcript of the interview. Please read and share. I am very grateful for this amazing gentleman and excited to see what he creates as his life and living.

Who are you? Where did you grow up? What was your upbringing like? What are you now? 

           My name is Sanghun Kim. I grew up in the Korean culture. Of course, I spent most of my time in Korea. My upbringing was kind of a Confucians culture. As well-known to people, Korea has very strong Confucians cultural background. For example, respect to an elder person, respecting teachers or masters, and etc. Specifically, I was born in Seoul, especially the central area of Seoul. I graduated from elementary school, middle school, high school, and entered into a college. Seoul is the capital city of Korea. Seoul is a very interesting city because nature and the urban side are made to be a perfect combination.
             Currently, I am an international student at the University of North Texas. I am studying Logistics and Supply Chain Management and studying minor for Decision Science. If you ask me about my planned future, to be honest with you I don’t know. Who knows one’s future? I never think about the long term future. My vision of life is “let’s live for now. Let’s do best at each moment!” However, I wish to be a person who contributes to the improvement, that the peace reigns in heart of men. Sounds weird, but sometimes I wish that!

Share with us briefly the history behind the conflict in Korea?

            This history is not very short because this conflict occurred since Korea was under Japanese colonization. While Korean people were against the Japanese colonization, Korean people were separated by two of the biggest axis of power the United Sates and the Soviet Union. Some people accepted the idea from the U.S. Some people accepted the idea from the Soviet Union. The historical background is from here. After Korea recovered sovereignty, these separated people could not find compromise; therefore in 1948, South Korean people established their own government and North Korea did as well. Then as people know, South Korea was supported by the U.S., and North Korea was supported by the Soviet Union. Then, in 1950, the Korean War was beginning. After a long time, in 1991, both South and North Korea joined the United Nations and have different seats for each. 

 How does one thrive in a war torn society? What is it going to take for peace and kindness to prevail there?

            Be honest with you, I am not really sure about it because I am living here in the U.S. However, I can tell that most of Koreans are not afraid of war. The meaning is not Koreans are willing to accept a warring time; Koreans became insensible about the war. Some people said the idea of South Korean’s national security is facing a serious problem. In contrast, some people believe a new Korean war is not going to happen because most of neighboring countries such as China, Japan, Russia, or the U.S. don’t want to make a new war. My honest opinion is the second one. When North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950, North Korea had very huge supports from the Soviet Union and China. In addition at that time, most of the strong countries had a surplus power right after the World War II. However in the 21 century, the face of war is changing into an economical war instead of using a physical power. Of course, the situation is more stressful than the normal. 

            Just look at the situation now. At the beginning of the conflict, both Koreans are very sensitive, and North Korea declared “full-scale war”. However, what is going on now? Did North Korea fire an ICBM to Japan or the U.S.? Or, did North Korean military march to the border line? If one country is going to take a crazy action, I am sure the economic situation will be worse than the great depression because the new Korean War is requiring, involving most of countries.

             The peace… I think it is hardest question in the Universe. Let’s think about it. Why every country has a military power and border line? What if every country disarms and opens their border line? If every country takes these actions, maybe then peace reigns in the heart of men. Then, at last, we can be whole. However, it is almost… no absolutely impossible because the situation is very complicated. If anyone can solve this permanent homework of humankind, that person must be a hero of the Universe.

            However, we can have a simple solution, to respect the culture. Why Korean peninsula is separated? Why India and Pakistan are separated? These are from a greedy mind.

What can the world learn from Korea?

              I think Korea is the last separated country. For now, I don’t know what the world can learn from Korea specifically. However, I can tell the modern history of Korea is very interesting. For example, South Korea was hopeless country right after the Korean War. However, who else can say South Korea isn’t a developing country now? During South Koreans’ industrialization, the generations were fighting with poverty, overcoming lacked natural resources, and military dictatorship. South Korea accomplished what take’s most European countries’ approximately 300 years of history to complete in 60 years. In contrast, North Korea’s direction is reverse. Look at the night view picture to the Earth from a satellite. North Korean territory at night is literally dark. What does that mean? North Korea does not have enough electricity for their night. From there, the world can learn many things in the future. The world can learn how Koreans solve conflict with each other, and how a country should not behave from North Korea. 

 What makes a great leader?

 I sense a good leader is a good listener. Also, a good leader is a good arbitrator. My ideal mechanism is very simple. A good leader should gather information or knowledge from people and make a smart decision. The smart decision making means a leader needs to be able to filter what is good information or what is bad information.

           

 References

Nebehay, Stephanie 3/21/13 U.N Starts Inquiry into Torture, Labor Camps in North Korea. GENEVA (Reuters) Retrieved from: http://news.yahoo.com/u-n-launches-inquiry-crimes-labor-camps-north-160356741.html

Newman, Rick 4/12/13 here’s How Lousy Life is North Korea. Retrieved from:http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/rick-newman/2013/04/12/heres-how-lousy-life-is-in-north-korea