Court Trials in North Korea

Yes, the concept of a court trial is hard to fathom in the context of North Korea, but apparently, they do exist over there.

Now that we have a court date set for the (questionable) accusations posed against U.S. reporters Euna Lee and Laura Ling, what can we expect to happen in a North Korean court hearing?

Slate has an interesting article exploring the topic.

For those wondering if the trial will be public, Slate reports:

Trials are supposed to be open to the public, unless they might expose state secrets or otherwise have a negative effect on society. According to testimony from North Korean defectors, though, trials are often closed in practice.

Needless to say, this case will be a first on many fronts. As Slate points out, North Korea has never held an official trial for foreign prisoners before.

I do not think a last-minute deal can save these two journalists from facing the court. Given the high profile nature of this case, North Korea will carry out a show trial if not only for valuable propaganda opportunities. If North Korea releases the women, the regime can do what Iran did with the Royal Navy and call it a “gift” to the American people. It can free the journalists and still save face in the presence of North Korean citizens. If the court finds them guilty, we can expect the sentence issued to be made public, even if the hearing itself is conducted through closed doors. The two will no doubt be used as a very public example to the rest of the world.

While in my opinion, there is little the U.S. (or anyone else) can do to stop the trial from happening, there may be some things that can be done to improve the chances of a release following the trial. It has been speculated that North Korea is really looking for bi-lateral talks, or the sending of a high-profile delegation to North Korea, or promise of money or aid. There very well may be some backroom deals or negotiations being made that we will never hear of that could also result in a positive trial outcome.

Either way, all eyes will be on the United States and its reaction to whatever the hearing results are.

If one lesson can be learned from its experience thus far with North Korea, it’s that the Obama administration needs a clearly defined policy in regard to the DPRK, as Joshua has consistently noted on OFK before. At the conclusion of Obama’s first 100 days in office, The Asia Society gave him a generous grade of a “C” in relation to how he’s dealt with North Korea thus far. His yearly midterm on the issue will be coming up on June 4. Will he pass or fail the test?