[Update 4, 6 Feb 10, bumped again: Park has arrived at L.A.X. There's also video of him perp walking through the Beijing Airport while being mobbed by the press, much of it South Korean.
In contrast to his animated pose with his North Korean captors -- these obviously being the "good cops" -- look at this video and tell me the man doesn't look like one whose spirit has been completely broken. He looks thinner, with no obvious signs of physical torture, and every sign of being devastated, emotionally. I don't know if it's the statement he made or the decision to cross, but Park certainly regrets something. I feel terrible for him, though not as terrible as I do for the others he put in danger. He meant well. But he obviously knows by now that didn't do well.
Cute of Xinhua, by the way, to refer to Park as a "trespasser," making no reference to the reason Park walked up to the borders guards in broad daylight, petition in hand, while reporting his "confession" to the North Koreans as fact. But we'd expect no less from fascist China, would we?]
[Update 3: Via Yonhap, here's photo of him arriving in Beijing.]
[Update 2, and bumped: The Chosun Ilbo publishes this photograph of Park. I don't see any scars or bruises.]
Here’s the breaking news, straight from the relevant organ, no less:
North Korea said on Friday it will release U.S. religious activist Robert Park, arrested in December for illegally entering the country in a journey to raise awareness about Pyongyang’s human rights abuses. “The relevant organ of the DPRK (North Korea) decided to leniently forgive and release him, taking his admission and sincere repentance of his wrong doings into consideration,” the state KCNA news agency said.
KCNA said Park had confessed to illegally entering the state and that he had changed his mind about North Korea after receiving kind treatment there.
“What I have seen and heard in the DPRK convinced me that I misunderstood it. So I seriously repented of the wrong I committed, taken in by the West’s false propaganda,” KCNA quoted Park as saying. Defectors from the North say the state often uses torture to extract confessions. [Reuters]
It would be premature for me to assume that Robert Park (a) said those things, or (b) said them of his own free will, but if he did, I think it will vindicate my initial observations about Park. On the other hand, it seems unlikely that this would be happening now if those reports that he was beaten were accurate.
Now, who else finds it oddly coincidental that this should happen just one day after President Obama says he won’t put North Korea back on the terror-sponsor list? Am I out of line to suspect that a deal of some kind was struck? [Update: In its daily press brief on February 5th, State denied that there was any deal. Believe that if you wish. I certainly don't. The transcript will be here when it's available.]
So aside from getting one North Korean defector arrested and possibly exposing others to the risk of capture, what exactly did Park’s foolish act accomplish for the people of North Korea? If my speculation above turns out to be right, Park was traded for a very significant ransom payment indeed. Which means that, as I predicted from the beginning, Park’s actions did Kim Jong Il far more good than harm.
Hat tip to a valued reader and friend.
Update: Here’s KCNA’s report. Below the fold, you can read KCNA’s complete “interview” of Park in which he denounces the “false propaganda” about “non-existent human rights abuses” and heaps praise on the benevolence of the Sun of the Nation, who guarantees religious freedom for all! It’s definitely not to be read by those who’ve eaten in the last hour or who have expensive carpeting. I suppose we should keep our minds open until he can explain himself (sigh), but if he really said this, we should only pity him more.
On a side note, I’m deeply disappointed not to have been singled out by name as a source of “false propaganda.”
Pyongyang, February 5 (KCNA) — As already reported, American national Robert Park was detained for trespassing on the northern border of the DPRK in December last year.
He was interviewed by KCNA at his proposal while he was under investigation by the relevant organ of the DPRK.
At the interview, he said that he was taken in by the false rumor spread by the West and committed a criminal act in the end.
He went on to say:
I trespassed on the border due to my wrong understanding of the DPRK caused by the false propaganda made by the West to tarnish its image.
The West is massively feeding “Children of Secret State”, “Seoul Train” and other documentary videos with stories about non-existent “human rights abuses” and “mass killings” in the DPRK and “unbearable sufferings” of its Christians and the like.
This false propaganda prompted me, a Christian, to entertain a biased view on the DPRK.
So I didn’t know what to do at that time. I just prayed and fasted and that was my initial response, but year by year more news reports, international media reports came and there were more videos saying the same thing, in fact, saying that it was getting worse, and so that’s why I started to become more and more distraught. If there are people in concentration camps, if Christians are dying like this, if there is starvation I have to die with them. If I help them I would go to Heaven but if I don’t help them I would go to Hell.
At last I made up my mind to go to the DPRK.
Upon trespassing on the border, I thought I would be either shot to death by soldiers or thrown behind bars, prompted by Americans’ false propaganda about the DPRK.
However, the moment I trespassed on the border, the attitude of soldiers toward the trespasser made me change my mind.
Not only service personnel but all those I met in the DPRK treated me in a kind and gentlemanly manner and protected my rights.
I have never seen such kind and generous people.
People have been incredibly kind and generous here to me, very concerned for my physical health as never before in my life. I mean, my family, of course, is concerned about my physical health but people here have been constantly concerned and I’m very thankful for their love.
Another shocking fact I experienced during my stay in the DPRK is that the religious freedom is fully ensured in the DPRK, a reality different from what is claimed by the West.
Being a devout Christian, I thought such things as praying are unimaginable in the DPRK due to the suppression of religion.
I, however, gradually became aware that I was wrong.
Everybody neither regarded praying as something unusual nor disturbed it. I was provided with conditions for praying everyday as I wished.
What astonished me more was that a bible was returned to me.
This fact alone convinced me that the religious freedom is fully ensured in the DPRK.
I came to have stronger belief as I had an opportunity to attend the service in the Pongsu Church in Pyongyang.
I worshipped and there, there was the Jondosa, there, there was a pastor, there was a choir, they knew the hymns, they knew the word of God. That’s why I was completely amazed. But I began to weep and weep in the Christian service because I learned that there are churches and Christians such as Pongsu Kyohoe (Church) in different cities and regions all throughout the DPRK. They worship, pray and preach freely the word of the Bible and Christ word. I’ve learned that in the DPRK people can read and believe whatever they want, whenever they want, wherever they want, that there’s complete religious freedom for all people everywhere throughout the DPRK.
What I have seen and heard in the DPRK convinced me that I misunderstood it. So I seriously repented of the wrong I committed, taken in by the West’s false propaganda.
I would not have committed such crime if I had known that the DPRK respects the rights of all the people and guarantees their freedom and they enjoy a happy and stable life.
I have felt shock, embarrassment, shame. Here I’m in the lands where people respect human rights and, not just respecting human rights, they have actually loved me and showed me more than just human rights. They have shown me grace. I repent and ask for forgiveness to the DPRK for my misunderstanding totally DPRK’s reality and my criminal illegal behavior. Had I known the reality of the DPRK, what I’ve learned here, what I have been shown here, what I’ve been taught here, what I’ve been informed here by all the kind people here about the DPRK, I would have never done what I did on the December 25th and I repent and I’m very sorry.
Prompted by my desire to redeem the crime I committed against the government of the DPRK, I would make every effort to let those who misunderstand the DPRK properly know what I experienced here so they may have a correct understanding of it.
He, as a Christian, expressed his will to earnestly pray so reunification may be achieved and peace settle on the Korean Peninsula as early as possible.
When I attended a certain Protestant church (my family is made up of Protestants and Catholics, so the church I attend largely depends on geography and other my own spiritual needs at the time I move), the pastor was fond of saying that all churches should have a sign above the door that says “For sinners only.” No one, including the clergy themselves, was above sin nor above reproach.
Recognizing that is not showing contempt for the church or for the people who make up that church. Followers of God’s Word and the teachings of Christ often find themselves weak before temptation, denying Christ as Peter did, and sinning and falling short of the glory of God. It is not contempt to suggest the possibility that Robert Park’s circle may be less than perfect beings.
Sanctimony, my brother, is a stumbling block that far too many Christians put in the way of non-believers, obscuring the light that would otherwise shine from their faith.
This is all speculation, but I wonder if he went on a hunger strike? I mean how can he look that pale and malnourished that quickly? NK does not normally treat foreigners harshly. In prison yes, but abusing them physically no.
However, I do believe they may have tried to use some type of blackmail to get him to talk or just mess with him mentally. I wonder if they would threaten to clamp down on the underground church in NK or site a specific Christian in prison would face something if he didn’t talk or if he talks upon being released.
I also think he is down because he didn’t fulfill the mission he wanted and/or it didn’t go as planned. He is probably mad and thinks some deal might have been or was made for his release. Something he did not want. That is why I think he tried a hunger strike. Then NK just decided to release him rather than try to deal with him or force feed him. Just my honest speculation.
I concur with Joshua Stanton. Robert Park looks like a broken man. As I said in my earlier post, he looks defeated.
I hate to say this, but it does appear that the Workers’ Party outfoxed and outsmarted this otherwise bright and well-intentioned young man. In other words, Park got owned by Kim Jong-Il and his cronies.
Not so much outsmarted, only his human need of the flesh gave way to religious principle. He had every oppurtunity to become a martyr and die there unfed as he intended, unless force fed. Yet his yearning of his people gave way to his apetite to survive in the elite city. There are no atheists in foxholes, just like there are no religious people in the last banquet hall on Earth in times of famine. Well lets just see how we overfed Americans would hold up if not given a buffet line of food for less than 3 days, given a biscuit by the devil. Only judge him for being a failed martyr on the religious front. On the Strategic front when it comes to propping up the regime by having a pure bloodline Korean American glorifying its existence, that young man has just cost us more to give KJI our money. Bottom line is that if you are an American DO NOT CROSS THE BORDER into the DPRK intentionally without permission. You will only help the cause of Kim Jong Il.
these comment threads are turning into religious flame wars. every time anyone makes a comment remotely critical of a self-identified christian individual or movement they’re attacked as an evildoer or someone ignorant of christianity. this is silly and counterproductive. and commenters, particularly KCJ and to a lesser extent Irene, you assume too much. you know very little about the identities, lives and work of many of the commenters on this blog, and even less about the relationships they may have with the people or topics discussed in these threads. likewise, we know little about any relationships you may have as well. conclusion – maybe we could all be a bit more civil, a bit less defensive, and a bit more understanding that every cause and movement (run by humans, anyway) has it’s flaws – including Christianity. and those inside the Church often are harshest about it’s faults.
kushibo, i agree with you.
kcj and irene, i suggest maybe you assume too much. the harshest critics of the church are those who’ve seen it intimately from within. you may not fully know the backgrounds, work or faiths of those who comment here. and perhaps they have relationships with the subjects they comment about that qualify their judgments. it would do much towards dialogue to be a bit less defensive. no man-made or man-led organization is perfect, even one that strives towards perfection like Christianity. such aggressive responses don’t serve your cause.
but thank you for your passion for this issue.
I think that the time has come to acknowledge that Joshua was right. Mr. Robert Park’s foray into North Korea was a foolish, misguided endeavor.
KCJ, you will recall that you defended Mr. Park:
“While some may mock Bob Park’s faith and actions, we need to realize that other people of like deep and sincere faith will take courage from his bold foray into the hell hole that is the DPRK.”
That was on December 27th, but on February 6th, you wrote this to offer a possible explanation for why Mr. Park seems to have broken down:
“He came to aid Christians, so they most likely paraded Christians in front of him, gouged out an eyeball, lopped off some fingers, kicked in some ribs, and told him that this will be the fate of these and other Christians if you don’t sign this statement and cover up what is going on in the DPRK. He is probably in a state of shock, humiliation, abject fear and mental anguish.”
In a response to this, I wrote a comment, also on February 6th:
“KCJ, assuming that the scenario as described by you is correct, that would be one very good reason for Robert Park never to have entered North Korea in the first place. I believe that Matthew 4:7 might be appropriate here. Don’t put God to the test — nor yourself, and certainly not the lives of others.”
While we still don’t have Mr. Park’s own story, the video that we have seen strongly suggests spiritual defeat on his part.
KCJ, I don’t mean to be picking on you. I’m citing you because you strongly defended Mr. Park’s action of crossing over into North Korea despite your experience in Iraq and your knowledge that brutal regimes like Saddam Hussein’s Baath Iraq and Kim Jong-il’s Juche North Korea have ‘refined’ techniques to break anyone.
At this point, wouldn’t you agree that Mr. Park’s action was foolish and misguided, precisely as Joshua stated?
Jeffery Hodges
* * *
He is looking depressed and forlorn because he is no longer in the People’s Paradise of North Korea!
A Christian Analysis of the Robert Park Incursion into North Korea
The damage is done. Not to Robert Park, or to the zealous South Korean missionary enterprise, nor to the Christian Church – but to the Juche cult practiced as the state religion of the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea (DPRK).
The DPRK spends nearly 40% of it’s annual budget on the maintenance of the cult which proclaims that Kim Il Sung is the eternal leader and savior of [all] Korea and that ‘arduous struggle’ to achieve reunification under the ‘great leader Kim Il Sung’ is the ‘sacred duty’ of all Koreans. The cult of personality that demands worship of Kim Il Sung and his son, Kim Jong Il is all that is holding the regime together – and preservation of the cult is the top priority of the government. The state religion of Juche tolerates no dissent and its rigorous demand of adherence from all North Korean citizens has rendered the DPRK dead last among the world’s nations in political freedoms and the most dangerous nation on earth to be a Christian.
Regardless of what happened to Robert Park once inside North Korea, whether torture of himself or others, brainwashing, or other coercive measures taken to force the contrived repentance statement he made to the KCNA (the DPRK’s state run media), the fact is that he made them play defense.
No American has ever gone into the DPRK as Robert Park did on Christmas Day 2009 in the light of day, openly proclaiming Christ’s love for North Korea and calling attention to its abysmal human rights record. Park went in to offer himself as a martyr for the suffering people of North Korea and to share their misery. Some will say that his mission was a failure that resulted in recantation – and this appearance is indeed compelling until you peel back the layers of the DPRK’s response to Park’s brazen confrontation.
Largely ignored by the media is the fact that the operation was conceived by Park’s missionary organization Pax Koreana in December as a 2-pronged attack. Prong one of course, was Park’s defenseless incursion into North Korea proclaiming Jesus Christ’s love and demanding the opening of the DPRK’s borders for humanitarian assistance. The second prong involved the launching of 150,000 leaflets across the demilitarized zone (DMZ) by helium balloons on January 27th that explained the reason for Park’s incursion into North Korea and denounced Kim Jong Il’s excesses.
Lest one think that helium balloons and plastic leaflets are inconsequential instruments in getting the truth into the cult-controlled state, consider that the task force charged with policing up the leaflets is the Korean Peoples’ Army. The KPA was so concerned about religion making inroads to the soldiers that this 18 page field bulletin was issued to the military in 2007 warning against the ‘evils of religion’ which was “… not only taking over the regular citizens but is becoming an influence within the army of North Korea.â€
The document states that, “The enemy is sending bibles, audio and video materials related to religion and superstition through various routes. They are placing spies within international delegations entering our borders to spread their religions and superstitious beliefs and win our citizens over to their side.â€
Robert Park’s entry into North Korea created the KCNA news story that was released shortly after his surrender to the DPRK on Christmas Day. The KCNA did not explain Park’s confrontation of Kim Jong Il, Juche or the regime in its reporting. Then a month later come 150,000 leaflets across the DMZ, most descending to the ground shortly after crossing north where 70% of the KPA are currently deployed. Once the military of North Korea is successfully infiltrated by religious believers, the regime’s coercive power has been seriously degraded. Attempting to use the military to oppress the ordinary people already angered over the redenomination of currency and the severe malnutrition they face could backfire on the government.
Yes, on the surface it appears that Robert Park and Pax Koreana were outsmarted by the godmakers of Juche. But strategically speaking, the DPRK’s response is too little, too late – the seal has been punctured, the hole has been gouged, the light is leaking in. The contrived pro-Juche ‘repentance statement’ issued by the KCNA in Park’s name is a desperate response to a mortal wound inflicted by Pax Koreana which is buttressed by the actions of other balloon launchers, missionaries working the Sino-Korean border to assist defectors, and the prayers of the 500,000 member underground Church.
Robert Park may have buckled under torture of one kind or another – no surprise there. This is to be expected, not only by us on the outside, but more importantly by citizens of the DPRK. They know the game. The North Korean people are well acquainted with the Stalinist tactics of the Juche cult. Park’s contrived ‘confession’ may fool a few, but the majority of the people know better. And the word is no doubt spreading through the population and yes, the military, about what Park really came to do. The people of North Korea now know that Americans care about their suffering. They are beginning to understand that their plight is known outside the prison-cult that entraps them. This is a deadly blow to the cult, no matter what the KCNA’s propaganda machine promulgates to the contrary.
The reality is that Park came representing no government, no military, no large organization – he came in the name of Jesus Christ. There is no weapon, tool nor counter-attack that the Juche cult can implement to defeat the spread of Christianity. Blood of the martyrs has always been the seed of the Church. It may take a while to spread, but the word about who that American was that entered North Korea on December 25th will get around. No matter how humiliated he may look or feel, Robert Park was a missile of love that mortally wounded the Juche cult and the DPRK’s oppression of its people by doing what no one had ever done before. The DPRK is playing defense; and the actions of a weak, foolish and beaten down young man may have dealt the idolatrous cult of Juche its death blow.
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. 1st Corinthians Chapter 1:28-30
We will only know the full impacts of Robert Park’s actions later down the road, which may be months or even years…and any subsequent interviews (or lack of) may only shed scant light on the situation given complexities which we know little about. Much of the comments to date have centered around what “WE” as westerners or other parts of the globe think about this individual Robert Park and the short-term consequences of his actions…but a vital component that has been neglected in these discussions is how his actions may have influenced, is influencing, or will influence the North Korean people themselves – especially the people who have no voice and is at the very heart of this entire issue we all care about.
Apparently there are stories that Robert Park’s actions have been widely circulated by balloon pamphlets, word-of-mouth, etc among North Korean people which have been praised and offered glimmers of hope, especially to those in the underground networks (who obviously won’t believe the current barrage of propaganda). If this has been achieved – and none of us will be able to measure this now – then it may be very well that his actions have planted precious seeds and perhaps others that will bear fruit in due time. As in all things, time will tell and only God Almighty will be the true judge of each and every one of us, for all of our actions, deeds, and words. Instead of paying so much attention on Robert Park now, let us not lose focus on the bigger issue at hand which is so much more important. And let us not forget that it is God who is going to bring about the changes we are all praying for, hopefully sooner than later.
KCJ: thanks for the linked URL. An interesting viewpoint.
I don’t understand why prong two necessitated prong one in order to work. In fact, prong one sounds like somebody has a messiah complex.
So what if “no American has ever gone into the DPRK as Robert Park did”? BTW, that statement somewhat contradicts, slightly at least, your statement that “Park came representing no government, no military, no large organization.” Also, he did in fact come representing an organization, Pax Koreana, and on a larger scale, a large Protestant sect.
This is what I find troubling about your analysis: You keep shifting the goal posts with sugarcoating of Park’s actions and a new explanation when the old one is falling apart. You also lash out on religious grounds at others who refuse to accept your explanation.
It is a betrayal of your own sanctimoniousness that you would tell me, who is also Christian, that I “obviously know nothing about Christianity” and assuming that I “did not have a working knowledge of Christian values” because I don’t share your view on this.
—-
I have a sick, sinking feeling that some innocent North Koreans were tortured and/or killed because of Robert Park’s brazen actions. This is something I felt from day one, not from when I saw Robert Park’s crestfallen visage and enervated physical form.
You may find it hard to believe, seeing as how you feel I lack any Christian knowledge or values, but as a Christian I truly understand the power through which Robert Park felt he could walk through the valley of death, even willingly. But I could also easily see that Robert Park was not just putting his own life at risk, but that of others, and I do not see the value that would come from that that could not come from the balloons alone.
Surely the 150,000 balloons could have worked but with a different message, one that applied Christ’s message to the treachery of the Great Currency Confiscation that has been raging at the time.
Some day North Korea will collapse, and the needs of the people will have to be met — spiritually and physically. I hope the fervent religious organizations among the Korean-American community — particularly the ìž¥ë¡œêµ â€” will know to check their sanctimoniousness at the door and recognize that their mission in the midst of a public health and humanitarian disaster requires a heavy focus on the second chapter of the book of James.
[OFK: Comment deleted. Vigorous argument about the topic on hand is tolerated, but personal insults directed at other commenters won't be.]
KCJ posted: “Blood of the martyrs has always been the seed of the Church.”
Is Mr. Robert Park a martyr?
KCJ, if your scenario is correct, Mr. Park’s adventure in North Korea may have produced a few unwilling martyrs, which isn’t quite what we were told to expect by his fervent supporters when he first crossed the line. I guess that we’ll soon find out when we hear his own report.
Whatever the reality about that, Mr. Park looks like a spiritually defeated man . . . not a martyr.
Jeffery Hodges
* * *
Another American missionary, Evan Hunziker, voluntarily entered North Korea–albeit under the influence of alcohol–in August 1996. The nature of the mission and the temperament of the two individuals are very different. Hence, as emotionally broken down as Park may be, his act will likely not remain a mere episodic curiosity in U.S.-North Korea relations. The human presence of Robert Park in North Korean territory is a far more powerful symbol than messages in balloons, as important as they are.
Park may have put fellow activists at risk by his action, as balloon launchers may put North Korean people who pick them up at risk. But the courage shown last Christmas Day, and the purity of his mission, shall live on as a summons to many other selfless people who care about the absence of basic freedoms in NK. One does not need to be a Christian to admire Park for his courage. Foolhardy, perhaps, but courageous, he certainly was. Further, Park’s insistence that he not be rescued by the U.S. government sets Park apart from all trespassers before him (even Dresnok made an attempt to escape NK), and made him a thorn to the North Korean regime.
To criticize Park for writing a confession under duress, relenting to North Korean thugs, and choosing not to end his life in NK seems…unreasonable.
SYL, if I understand you sufficiently, and assuming that KCJ’s scenario is plausible, you’re saying that Mr. Park is admirable and should not be criticized for entering North Korea even if his actions might have resulted in the torture of others to pressure him to confess his ‘crime’ and praise the ‘freedom of religion’ in North Korea, a scenario that would in fact have been foreseeable if Mr. Park had thought about consequences, as KCJ’s own comments have since made clear.
Jeffery Hodges
* * *
Evan Hunziker! haha.. thanks for bringing my attention to him. I never head of the guy, so I looked him up in Wikipedia..
This guy swam to North Korea, naked, drunk, and on a DARE!! haha.. “hey i dare you to strip naked and swim to North Korea” WOW.. that is the stupidest dare I have ever heard.
Then you know by now that Hunziker committed suicide. Look, the man was obviously very troubled and not thinking rationally, but he’s no more a worthy object of abuse than Robert Park, regardless of your feelings about what he did. The situations are not comparable in the methods or motives, of course, but both are troubled people, and it would be appropriate — especially if their families are reading this — to show a little compassion.
Jeff, “blood of the martyrs” refers to the hundreds of thousands of Christians who have perished at the hands of the Kims since 1946 like these pastors who were run over by a steamroller in 2005.
My analysis did not give approbrium to Park’s decision; it did assert that the DPRK is playing defense in what I believe is a losing battle because of Park’s incursion.
KCJ, thanks for that clarification. I’m glad that you don’t approve of Mr. Park’s decision. My impression at the time that he crossed over was that you did approve. If I misunderstood your position at that time, my apologies.
I’m aware of the brutal repression of Christians in North Korea, including the steamroller report. I receive reports through my church here in Seoul (SIBC) and also by email from a couple of sources (such as Voice of the Martyrs). I can’t see that Mr. Park has accomplished much, however, especially when one compares his aura of confidence upon entering the North with his shadow of defeat in the images that we see now.
Jeffery Hodges
* * *
I am really praying that God will continue to use what Park did to bring attention to North Korea period. 69 comments on this thread by the time I got to it.
Jeff, my viewpoint is not only from the faith perspective (full disclosure: I am Roman Catholic), but also from the military perspective. I am a member of USFK and I want the regime in North Korea to fail as soon as possible. While in the short run, Park’s actions appear to have possibly hurt the cause of the persecuted Church, in the strategic viewpoint, and over the long run, I believe he has seriously threatened the Juche cult and therefore the legitimacy of the regime’s dictatorship. Whatever brings down the cult brings down the wall around North Korea, and Robert Park’s incursion has bloodied the face of the Kims although few have seen it from that perspective.
Why on earth do you Christians smuggle Bibles into North Korea when you know that if they get caught with a Bible they will get executed by firing squad or steamroller?! Knowing that certain death awaits the recipients of your ‘gift’, makes you just as guilty of murder as the firing squad or steamroller driver.
LOL, because Impervious – we believe in eternal salvation and the resurrection. Do you know what a Christian Bible is worth on the North Korean black market? $100 USD - the demand for these Bibles is sky high.
So Impervious, I take it you’d say the same about gifts of food to the starving, medicine to the sick, or newspapers to the isolated? The regime would also punish the recipients of those gifts quite severely, if they were received from foreigners. And you really see the giver of some prohibited freedom as “just as guilty” as the regime that executes an unfortunate recipient? No kidding?
I guess we know what you’re impervious to.
Expect Robert Park to be BRAINWASHED by the CIA and FBI.. They will tell him to claim that what he said in the DPRK was ‘lies and propaganda’.
The United States government does not want people to know what a wonderful paradise socialism creates. We will continue to be fed with outrageous lies about North Korea.
KCJ, my main concern with you was that you said you were basically “displeased” with Joshua because he did not agree with you. If you scroll back any poster can find that. Joshua Stanton is not here to please you, myself or any other damn person who visits his site. As a Liberal Christian I have to say this to you my Conservative Christian counterpart. You Conservative intolerant Christians are the most Satanic anti-Christ like people on Earth. No wonder people reject us these days. To you with love.
Ok, Anyway Saints win the American Circus Maximus Superbowl XXXIV! Woo-ho
Wait, are we even officially an Emprie yet?
Empire
This man in this propaganda photo from January in Pyongyang looks alot like Robert Park.
You Conservative intolerant Christians are the most Satanic anti-Christ like people on Earth.
Such a loving statement! Tolerant, too.
You Conservative intolerant Christians are the most Satanic anti-Christ like people on Earth.
Ever heard of Aafia Siddiqui or Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab? As annoying as intolerant Christians may be, they are nonviolent, save for the the few that target abortion doctors. The great thing about freedom of speech is the freedom not to listen or read. Not so with those who use coercion, threats, or violence to impose their beliefs on others. You castigate conservative Christians as Satanic on a blog devoted to exposing the horrors of the North Korean regime. Good grief! And while I’m at it, let me put in another plug for the First Amendment, which simultaneously protects Muslim women who cover from head to toe and blasphemous apostates like me.
impervious wrote:
You’re kidding, right?
No im not kidding. I think while Robert Park was in North Korea, he had time to star in many propaganda movies.
I think the man was emotionally blackmailed into making that stupid “confession.” Whatever good intentions he may have had, he was naively unprepared for the tricks of the Norks.
impervius wrote:
Does anybody else besides me think that doesn’t look like him?
j lee wrote:
And that’s precisely why he shouldn’t have gone. Everybody else saw this coming from a mile away.
Did he (and his clergy?) wake up one day and think, “Hey, let’s march into North Korea and demand to speak to Kim himself, even vowing to give down our lives for that cause, because nobody’s ever tried that before!”
Did it occur to them that there may be good reason why no one has ever tried it? Like it simply not working and potentially backfiring big time?
Sonagi is right. I was acting left. And yet I only apologize to KCJ… (Inside Christian hazing). Until she (Sonagi) sings me the pagan song of Echo I will not hold my breath. BTW Sonagi, stock up on Ice Melt. Mother douche is bringing us all a fresh haul of snow again on Today.
Bah, less than a foot this time according to the latest forecast. Looking forward to another primal workout shoveling snow.
While not a very religous person myself, I can’t help but be impressed with the passion, honesty and courage of very religous people such as KCJ – background: as a former liberal of the political democratic party myself many years ago, I woke up to the fact that there exists such hypocrisy and “holier than thou” attitudes in that party that pale in comparison to any allegations attributed to conservatives here. What many democrats’ “holier than thou” attitudes accomplished was effectively the marginalization of many young voices who did not agree with “group politics” and applied double standards, not mention the chilling effect on our first amendment rights.
Worse, in comparing human rights in the United States to North Korea’s, the liberal democrats effectively marginalized NK’s immense human suffering… ask those who would compare the holocaust to human rights in the United States today!
Thank you, Irene, you are very kind. And thanks for sharing your personal story.
I haven’t seen any other reporting on this – not sure how it escaped our collective dragnet:
Sonagi, you call yourself an apostate. Are you a former believer? In what faith?
Ex-Catholic. Shhh, don’t tell KJC.
The term is “lapsed Catholic.” We want you back, dearest loved one!