When I was 16, there was a nice program that Gyeong-gi province singled out one student in each middle school and gave them opportunity to tour North Korea during a week. Fortunately, I got the chance so I could climb Mt.Kumgang. First time when I arrived at North Korea, I was so scary because every soldier was standing under the guns. Although they spoke same language and looked like us, I felt that they were strangers. They never smiled, but always seemed to be nervous. There were some rules. First, taking a photo while I move to another place is not allowed (We usually took tourist bus). There were many enormous paintings representing their presidents. If I take photo in front of those, I should consider those are not omitted in my photo.
In other words, whole paintings must be in my photo whatever I looked smaller. So strict rules made tourists gave up taking photos but also made us focused on enjoying nature. The waterfall of Mt.Kumgang was the most beautiful one I’ve ever seen. Unspoiled nature was so great that I hope it to be preserved. I believe there was no least enjoyable part during the trip. It was very valuable time.
Blaine Harden, former national correspondent and writer for the New York Times, delivers an agonizing and heartbreaking story of one man’s extremely conflicted life in a labor camp and an endeavor of escaping this place he grew up in. This man’s name is Shin Dong-hyuk. Together, Blaine Harden and Shin Dong-hyuk tell us the story of this man’s imprisonment and escape into South Korea and eventually, the United States, from North Korea. This biography that takes place from 1982-2011, reports to its readers on what is really going on in “one of the world’s darkest nations” (back cover of the book), that is run under a communist state and totalitarian dictatorship that was lead by Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and currently lead by Kim-Jong un. In Escape from Camp 14, Shin shows us the adaptation of his life and how one man can truly evolve from an animal, into a real human being.
Created during the Cold War, the People’s Army had abandoned their traditions to follow those of the Soviets (Tertitskiy, par. 5). After turning 17, all North Koreans who pass a health check join the military. Usually, unless an enlistee gives the military mobilization department a bribe, he or she does not have the option of where to serve (par. 16). North Korean soldiers are forced to serve a decade, so working in a desired department would be greatly appreciated (par. 10). The ten years of service can be very grueling to a soldier. Soldiers are regularly frustrated because they are often used for building city projects—not fighting for their country (par. 24). Since soldiers are not allowed to see their families for the entire decade of service-even for funerals- and junior soldiers cannot have relationships, many soldiers can vent their frustrations only through their actions (par. 23). There have been many cases of soldiers attacking officers, as well as stealing from civilians (par. 21-22). Hostile enlistees create an especially hostile area for women. A female soldier can be threatened to have sex with their commander (par. 21). Not doing so would result in not being allowed to join the party, negating her many years of training (par. 21). Mandatory military service has failed in North Korea. Although soldiers are
Salter, Christopher L., and Charles F. Gritzner. "Introducing North Korea,." North Korea. 2nd ed. New York: Chelsea House, 2007. . Print.
The pictures that were taken of the Merzbau were in the ‘Merzbau proper’ or also known as the ‘eigentlicher Merzbau’. In the ‘eigentlicher Merzbau’ was where Kurt Schwitters began to work in 1927. He always found something to shift or to add to it, so it was always expanding and shifting. This cool college was also used for his studio. I thought it was really creative using items he found on the streets since the economy.
The limited information known about North Korea is from under cover sources and people. If captured these people will be sent to horrific labor camps already filled with hundreds of thousands of North Koreans. The atrocities of human torture and what people living there endure really made me want to research North Korea. Has anyone infiltrated the country to help these issues? How does a country get like this in the first place? What is their culture like? How has North Korea been exposed? What was in this report issued by the UN?
Climate, conflict, isolation, and corruption culminated in millions of lives lost, surely with no small amount of pain and suffering endured. Though international intervention can only help to the degree that authorities in North Korea will allow it, we are not left entirely without recourse. It is too late now to undo the damage of the North Korean famine, and although power has since changed hands, the country remains famously isolated. If, however, we tell the story as best we can, and deny ourselves the comfort of closing our eyes when faced with such a colossal tragedy, then perhaps in the future we find a solution. Silent are the Koreans who perished, and silent still are the authorities that chose seclusion over security. If we wish to prevent this from happening again, we must not let their silence be our silence as well.
Firstly North Korea is one of the toughest, scariest places to live because of their dictatorship. In 1993 Kim ll - Sung died of a heart attack and his son Kim Jong-ll took power and set out on making the nation a member of “axis of evil”. Secondly the economy was collapsing and the great famine was taking place. During the famine those who were to young, to old, to poor, or to honest to steal or find food starved and inevitably died. Another reason is in North Korea going to jail is one of the worst things to ever happen. Prisoners are beaten severely. Punishments sometimes included breaking fingers, and to sit or stand in horrible, excruciating positions for a long period of time. Escaping North Korea is also a huge task that doesn't always end up well. The bodies of North Koreans can also be found floating in the rivers after a failed attempt at escaping, although some have successfully made it out. Some say that the Dust Bowl and living in poverty are the hardest but, the Dust Bowl only lasted for about 10 years or so, and living in poverty has many people working to find a long lasting solution. On the other hand nobody can really do anything about North Korea because it’s very secluded and it’s a huge threat to
It was back when I was 14 years old in the 8th grade, when I got an opportunity to take a trip to Washington D.C. to learn, explore, and meet new people in a different state. There was a long way to go, for me to be able to be chosen to go on the trip. This trip was competitive because only 10 students would get to go. I had to do some paperwork to let the assistant principal at my middle school know I’d be participating in competing with other kids at school to go to Washington D.C. I wrote an essay explaining who I was, how would this trip benefit my future, and why did I want to go to Washington D.C. I’d also be in charge of raising $500 on my own and also in the essay I had to explain how would I raise $500 on my own. I was settle to be
Rogue states under dictatorial rule threaten the fragile peace, which exists in our modern world. Constantly as a society Americans have always fought against these said foes. However all too often we pass a blind eye to the humanity of the enemies’ civilian populations. For more often than not, those who live within these systems are chronically oppressed. The nation of North Korea is no exception, with “Bing-brother always watching.” The government in North Korea pervades all aspects of life.
In case you are just tuning in to my Loving This Life! New Orleans adventure, here are some quick links to my previous posts.
We have started our long journey to North America. It shouldn’t be that much farther according to John Smith, our leader. Our journeys purpose is to start a new English colony in North America. While in North America we have also been instructed to find some gold and silver. This trip has been long and exhausting, I can’t wait to reach our destination and catch up on as much sleep as possible. One of my main fears is to come across some natives that might be a friendly as we think. No telling what could happen to us and our people.
It was about two years ago when I arrived in United States of America, and I still remember the day when I left my native country, Honduras. As I recall, one day previous to my departure, I visited my relatives who live in San Pedro Sula. They were all very happy for me to see me except my grandmother Isabel. She looked sad; even though she tried to smile at all times when I was talking to her, I knew that deep inside of her, her heart was broken because of my departure the next morning. I remember that I even told her, “Grandma, do not worry about me, I’ll be fine. I promise that I will write you letters and send you pictures as much as possible.” Here reply was, “I know sweetie I know you will.” Suddenly after she said that I started to cry. For som...
My heart was pounding as I boarded my flight leaving the Bangkok International Airport. A flight attendant in a grey dress with a red bow draped over her shoulder announced; “Welcome aboard flight AA350 to the United States.” My journey began that day.
Everyone is unique in their own way so a society where people are sitting in a room and everyone is wearing the same clothes, same shoes, same hairstyle, and basically the same of everything would never work. A world where everyone has no individuality and no unique personality. It’s like a big robot factory and every robot is built the same way. Similar to a daily life in North Korea. People would think that since there are no differences, people won’t be able to bully each other and there would be no judgements. A world like that means no individuality, no expression, no fun, no talent, no inventions, and no beauty.
I am by myself wearing my blue jeans and an old flannel shirt. It is cool outside but I decided to leave my gloves at home, feeling comfortable with my warm shirt and my sturdy boots.