Good Friends has had a few sad reports of sea-related stories lately, including one about North Korean naval forces shooting up boats of refugees. But the 11 in the present story somehow made it through. Here is an excerpt from the Good Friends May 11, 2009 report:

A Son Discharged from 10 Year-Military Service Died at Sea While Seeking Food for His Parents
Cho, Jung-Ho (60s) in Yeonho-Dong, Kimchaek City, North Hamgyong Province, couldn’t continue to speak because of sorrow. Mr. Cho’s son died while fishing in a stormy sea in February. Mr. Cho said “Kwang-Hyok (his son) was discharged from the military service on Feb. 2nd. When he came back home, he seemed to feel sorry for his parent’s poor life. His mother was bedridden due to an illness and his grandmother in her eighties was immobile with stroke. Although I was working at a factory, I did not get any wage or ration from the work. Kwang-Hyok decided to start business to make money right away after his discharge from military. But his business did not go well. Later, he decided to go out to sea to make money for his family. After the holidays have passed, he begged the owner of a small boat into letting him use the boat so that he could go out to the sea for fishing. He said he would collect seaweed, kelp and catch fishes. On that day, the wave was very high and the wind was strong. The boat ended up sinking in the sea.” That’s how Mr. Cho lost his son. He said he should have stopped his son going out to the sea. He and his wife finally burst into tears. Their neighbors felt sorry for them. Because the neighbors expected their life to be better after their son came back from the military.

North Koreans are dying at sea.

Thanks for covering this story and the Yonhap photo.

Hat tip to Mrs. Stanton.

How nice that your wife shares your passion for this issue.