I have just recently discovered the work that you do, and I have become a proud supporter. I am actually traveling to Korea next month for a visit, and I was wondering if it would be possible to meet up for coffee? I would love to hear some of your experiences and views on Korean culture. You definitely are an inspiration to us all, and I consider you a hero. Thank you for your time, and stay safe! I hope to hear from you soon.

Mike

I am student at Bauhaus-University Weimar and became an interest in Korea about 2 years ago, when I found out about the unconditional acceptance of the German lifestyle by South Koreans living and studying abroad in Germany. Japan is the evil, and Germany is a nation of castles, free schooling and wonderful design. Therefore I moved to Seoul last August and will temporarily remain here until next September. I am working on a variety of artistic attempts on the South Korean question. This is the acctual reason why I reply to your post. I found out quite similar views during my research and projects. The South Korean society, has been very lightly a democratic or put it another way, constantly questioning society. South Korean society is 99% absolute mainstream. I stayed for my visa as a 2-class visiting student at Hongik-University, even my so “prestigues” professors at the very “best” Korean artschool are allthough grown up during a time of military dictatorship and the Gwangju uprising, and the Yonsei revolt, not willing to question society by anymeans. In art it comes as far as showing somekind of mass-selling “Popart” and in terms of teaching confuzinism is very much to their own ego. If have not seen any question of teachers opinions or critic. Nor is anyone talking about their maybe disregardful past, for example at the 1987 riots in Seoul with tons of teargas and streetfights with the police, because it is concidered to be not very suportive to their “carriers” as professors. I almost believe their history of opression during the Japanese and Chinese past grew somekind of eagerness to raise to power, which is slowly awaking now that Korean business man enjoy their soju-relations and profit-friends. I will not denounce, but I have a strong disbeliefe in independant Korean media and art. The organs which are supposed to make a society aware of it’s own problems are out of order due to the propaganda, with which they bombard the people everyday. I only hear about numbers of financial groth, the newest development in Luit Vuitone against Versage and some food or toaster scandals every few days to give the people something to shruck. I’d love to keep those moments in pictures, all ages, all groups and most of all also the intellectual society still raises their eyebrows and opens their mouth to a wide 어 .

South Korea is society kept quite with the benefits of amuesement and luxery. It is very discriminating against those of lower status, which also includes the view on people staying in the rural areas of the southern half of the Korean penninsula, not competing in this race for nothing really.

I am sorry for my widespread explainations, but I believe this will base some of the claims of abuse of freedom of speech or opposing governmental decisions. I recently read about the current attempts on North and South Korean biliteral talks, which of I had to find out at the governmental website of the department of reunification, are mostly limited to economical represantatives.

I love your attempt with the ballons. Once some actually reach the north you could also send your own UKW signal via kites with small radio-transmitters. Something my fellow students did during the G8 conference in Rostock this sommer.

And a last statement: The recent anti-Americanism is as I believe only a public view and again has nothing to do with the decisions of the government. The Programme of the newly elected president is as I believe interpretate pro-American as well as pro-goodwill towards the North Korean dictatorship. The status quo is not questioned and I believe South Korea benfits very much from making friends and but not changing the name. This is legitimate doublestandard.

Quote by Lee Myung-bak/Al Jazzera: “If we try to point out North Korea’s shortcomings, with affection, I think that would go a long way towards improving North Korean society.”
AlJazzera again:
Lee has said he will take a more critical view over aid to North Korea and says he will bolster ties with the US, which has 28,000 troops deployed in South Korea.

Thank you for your patience, if you eventually read this. And good success.

And Good will conquer Evil? Good and Evil eat the poor of the world for breakfast

I know you were doing a loney battle for some time.
Lastly I saw you in Seoul Station event; really appreciate what you have done,
which Korean should have done.

There’s scarece information about how far we made it what not.

I’m truly in need of knowing more about progress having been made
and what we can do whether we live within the land or abroad.

Thank you so much with all my heart.

May our Lord keep you safe , strong, healthy in and out.

This has to end soonest possible.!!

Sara

I am a teacher on a Native American Indian reservation in northern MN in the USA. I am here in Seoul at the happy occasion of my son’s marriage to a lovely woman from Seoul . We have just arrived back from the DMZ and were on a bus with the guide who was your guide when you did a brave act of calling attention to the plight of fellow human beings who are suffering and asking the rest of the world collectively speak and act . We are so glad our guide informed us on your life’s work now to speak the truth in love for fellow humans . While my govt. also carried out many atrocites on the refugees fleeing to the south during the Koren war massacring women, children, and elderly as they thought North Koreans were in the mix we will write letters as much as that has power . I will teach my children about the children of North Korea and let them find small solutions as children have the power to do in their own way. Please let us know what we can do in actions and know our energy and support is sent your way. Miigwech ( thank you in Ojibwe Indian langauge ) … many spoke up for Indian people in America being slaughtered and starved ) . What if more got rid of evil leaders & govt’s on top ? Blessings—- hold strong…. Cate Belleveau

I am an attorney in Texas, U.S.A.
Recently, I met two North Korean refugees who are seeking asylum in the U.S. and became interested in learning about what is going on in North Korea.
I am so touched by what you are doing for Korea.
I’ll keep you in my prayer, and in whatever way I can I will advocate for suffering North Koreans.

Hello, my name is Beth Hong, and I am President of a student organization called North Korea Freedom Network, based at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. NKFN aims to advocate for North Korean human rights and educate students and the wider community about the human rights crisis, and mobilize to pressure the Canadian government to take action. We hope to attain NGO status in Quebec in a few months’ time.

In March or April of 2008, we are planning to hold a one-day conference at McGill on the North Korean human rights crisis, similar to the one held at Yale on April14th. We are in the process of contacting and confirming potential speakers and experts on the field of North Korea and the various aspects of the human rights crisis. I believe that your presence at this conference will highlght the acute lack of basic healthcare services and civil liberties in North Korea.

The goal of our conference is what can be done about the crisis in a Canadian context. We would like participants of the conference to be able to walk away with a clear idea of what can be done to publicize and advocate for the North Korean human rights crisis- as students, Canadian citizens (or as a citizen of an industrialized country) and voters. I hope that your perspectives on the situation in North Korea, and your courageous dedication against such vehement opposition and danger can inspire participants to take action.

As a student club and soon-to-be start up NGO, our funds are limited. However, we are also in the process of searching for sponsors and donors to fund our conference, and we plan to pay for your transportation and accomodation for your time in Montreal. Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Beth Hong
President, North Korea Freedom Network
Tel: (514) 616 3174
Email: nkfn.mcgill AT gmail DOT com

Keep up your inspirational work
Peter Carney

Your hunger strikes and campaign of hope for NK refugees have made a great impact on me. I am just soley and individual like yourself but what you have shown the world is how desperate NK’s refugees need our help. Thank you for your loyalty, bravery and most of all your will to spread the message of social injustice. Through yuor tireless efforts, Kim Jong Il will meet his ruin and the people of NK will be free.

I cannot put into my words of love and graditude to what you are doing for the North Korean people. My heart goes out to you and others like you that sacrifice so this cause. You and many others like you are truly amazing and wonderful people. It is people like you that make this world worth living. You are an inspiration to everyone. Thank you for all you have done and sacrificed.

You will be in my prayers. Good will conquer Evil. Bless you.