Last week, in Simon's East Asia Regional Briefing, One Free Korea explained what the North Korean Human Rights Act would do. Then he explained why it was important for Americans to contact their representatives. He even had a sample letter to help.
It was a powerful post. As I noted at the time:
"North Korea is literally a rolling genocide, complete with concentration camps whose depths of cruelty and depravity stand on the same level as Treblinka et. al. Prudence and circumstances may prevent us from removing the regime, but we cannot just turn a blind eye and pretend this isn't happening."
Now Josh writes in to tell us what happened in the wake of efforts like yours:
Joe,Thanks again for the link. With your help and that of many others, the bill passed the House unamimously. I was also gratified to learn last week that after I forwarded the press reports that NK was using gas chambers to the Simon Wiesenthal Center last March, Rabbi Cooper teamed up with Rep. Tom Lantos, and they lobbied for this bill as well. Like you, I'm Jewish, and I have to say that this (along with the four years I spent with the Army in Korea) is a big part of what motivates me on this issue.
Now, we have to get it through the Senate, so we will keep up the pressure on that side.
Even better -- the day after the bill passed, the South Koreans felt obliged to announce that they would let in 400 North Korean refugees who had been hiding in an unknown country in SE Asia. It was the largest group of defectors ever admitted. Coincidence? It's quite possible that our letters and calls saved those people.
It's interesting to see the reactions in South Korea.
Most are negative; they are afraid that we'll upset Kim Jong-Il and spoil their plans for gradually appeasing North Korea to change its ways (if I had a nickel for every time I heard a woman in trailer park use that logic with her abusive redneck boyfriend).
It's pretty interesting to see them claim to that they are the really compassionate ones about North Korea even as they demand that their government continue to do nothing whatsoever to actually help them.
Thanks again and take care,
Josh
UPDATE: I have a serious issue with one line of Josh's email - but a lot of respect for his efforts in this area. Josh comes back with a pretty good response, having lived in what he calls "trailer-rich neighbourhoods." He also notes that things in N. Korea have become more brutal - and more serious.
I have one quibble with Josh's letter. It's this line:
I understand the point Josh is getting at, but it was wrong to say it - unless Josh does in fact spend a lot of time in trailer parks, and has in fact heard this personally on many occasions. Have you, Josh?
Spousal abuse knows no boundaries of class. It happens to rich people and poor people, to successful executives, and to people you might not otherwise expect. Stupid choices in relationships are truly a universal phenomenon.
Second, there are many fine people who live in trailer parks because those are their economic circumstances. People who are decent and kind, working hard and doing their best. People I know have fit that description, and that's a lot more important than where they live. Some of those residents may also fit comedian Jeff Foxworthy's definition of "redneck," and so what? They don't deserve to be put down like that, though one can at least offer the ironclad defense of truth if one really is speaking from personal experience.
Dude, all you had to say was "(if I had a nickel for every time I heard a woman use that logic with her abusive boyfriend)." It would have made your point. The rest was an unworthy cheap shot.
Beyond that, on the macro issue of trying to help millions of people in North Korea's unbelievably cruel slave state - kudos, respect, and hats off to ya Josh. Glad we could help in some small way.
As a matter of fact, I did spend plenty of years living in trailer-rich neighborhoods. "Trailer parks" would be stretching it, because we didn't actually reach that level socioeconomically at the time. Living in S Dakota with no heat except a wood stove is surely a life-changer. The thing you carry with you the most is the contempt of everyone who sees your car. And yes, I heard the "he can change" excuse from my next-door neighbor, but she finally threw him out. Good for her.
Redneck Jews, you ask? Yes, there are a few of us out there.
Maybe I'm not especially sensitive about class because my view of it is lateral, not vertical. In retrospect, I shouldn't have assumed you wouldn't print the whole e-mail, but I did give you permission. I'm just glad to be living proof (and one of many) that a person can come from that kind of neighborhood to a much better life using no charity but some small scholarships and student loans--all repaid now.
Either way, thanks for the link and the kind words. We did good things and must do more. More evidence came out today (via the BBC) about N Korea using gas chambers on prisoners; they're testing weapons that could "annihilate" Seoul. Link and video here