“Why we can’t go to war with North Korea” according to one American

This simplistic article highlights numerous reasons why the US shouldn’t go to war with North Korea. However whilst he illustrates why a war isn’t a good idea (and it isn’t) he implies that any interference in the goings on of NK is none of the USA’s business, even if they do bomb Japan.

Fascinatingly enough, he quotes Santanya’s well known phrase, “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it” to illustrate his point about the mistakes of the Korean War. However, he should also imply that phrase to the Isolationist policy the US had in the 30s and early 40s which allowed a dictator far too much room to manoeuvre and almost brought about a restructuring of world order. With the new totalitarian regime possessing nuclear weapons, this is no time for America to be isolationist, and thankfully Obama seems to recognise this

North Korea … We know

Further to the National Geographic piece on Refugees from North Korea which I mentioned a few weeks ago, I’d like to highlight just one practical way in which you can make your voice heard.

Open Doors are running a campaign to speak out against China’s forced repatriation of N.K. refugees. It is a great tragedy that China forcibly return refugees to a country where leaving is a capital offence. As a result, not only are many refugees returned to face potential execution, but the stance of the Chinese Government means that female refugees who aren’t caught, unable to declare their status, are often forced into the sex slave trade. Open Doors claims that 70% of N.K. women refugees are forced into brothels or sold as sex slaves or wives (source)

Just as we condemn the Allies for knowing about Auschwitz and doing nothing about it so will our children condemn us for knowing something of the terror that goes on in North Korea and refusing to engage with it, instead ignoring the information and living selfishly in denial.

When you kids ask what you did to liberate the people of North Korea, what will you say?

Start here – not to ease your conscience but rather to take action – by sending a letter to the Chinese Ambassador asking her to urge the Chinese Government to change its policy of forced repatriation.

Click for change

‘Escape from North Korea’, from National Geographic

Since last summer when I looked into the possibility of going on an organised tour to North Korea (there is no other way of travelling to/within the country), I have had kept an eye out for any news smuggled out of the country. As the world’s most inaccessible country, it appeals enormously.

National Geographic ran an article last week entitled ‘Escape from North Korea’ and whilst it’s long, it’s well worth a read, bringing up issues of sex trafficking, active love, gratitude and the effect of faith on people in need

Read it here