North Korea says/does surprising and alarming thing - Page…

Singapore ... represents neutral turf for the two leaders. The city-state of 5.5 million people boasts security partnerships with the U.S., a North Korean embassy and strong ties with China.

Singapore’s government also has a history of putting together high-profile diplomatic events at short notice, notably hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping’s historic 2015 meeting with then Taiwanese counterpart Ma Ying-jeou. Still, Kim’s agreement to travel so far from the safety of Pyongyang -- the farthest he’s ever been as leader -- could be seen as a concession by North Korea, should it happen.

A dozen North Korean waitresses and their male manager who were praised for a daring escape from their government have claimed they didn't flee at all—instead, they were forcefully taken in a plot hatched by rival, U.S.-backed South Korea.

In April 2016, Heo Kang-il led 12 female workers from his North Korean restaurant in the Chinese city of Ningbo to South Korea, where Seoul's Unification Ministry reported them as having defected freely. North Korea quickly claimed they were kidnapped, however, this was widely dismissed on the outside as propaganda. But last night, on South Korean television, Heo himself admitted that the women were unaware they were being sent to South Korea and that the whole operation had been orchestrated by him and South Korea's spy agency.

"It was luring and kidnapping, and I know because I took the lead," Heo told TV channel JTBC on Thursday, as translated by The New York Times.

At least three of the women also appeared on the program with their names withheld and their faces blurred. One of the trio said "I want to go home because living like this is not the life I wanted," adding, "I miss my parents."

If Fritzl's daughter said she was happier in her father's basement, would you send her back there?

On May 12 2018 05:02 a_flayer wrote:
I also find it quite funny how North Korea's statements were dismissed as propaganda. People often love to dismiss points of views they disagree with or find otherwise unsuitable to their existing ideas as propaganda, don't they? Something something neoliberals.

On May 12 2018 05:02 a_flayer wrote:
North Korea is such a terrible place, right? Lots of suffering, people being oppressed, etc. We must deliver them freedom, save them... even by kidnapping them and taking them away from their families! I mean, who would possibly want to go back, right?

I also find it quite funny how North Korea's statements were dismissed as propaganda. People often love to dismiss points of views they disagree with or find otherwise unsuitable to their existing ideas as propaganda, don't they? Something something neoliberals.

On May 13 2018 15:32 Taf the Ghost wrote:


When you're already in the "Baghdad Bob" category, no one is going to believe anything you say, though you do take those people seriously when they threaten you. Got nothing to do with counter-propaganda.


On a weird thought, there's a real chance this thread might actually be "done" at some point in the next year. That'd be pretty amazing.

On May 12 2018 05:02 a_flayer wrote:
North Korea is such a terrible place, right? Lots of suffering, people being oppressed, etc. We must deliver them freedom, save them... even by kidnapping them and taking them away from their families! I mean, who would possibly want to go back, right?

I also find it quite funny how North Korea's statements were dismissed as propaganda. People often love to dismiss points of views they disagree with or find otherwise unsuitable to their existing ideas as propaganda, don't they? Something something neoliberals.

On May 13 2018 20:22 saocyn wrote:
You know that quote keep your enemies closer? yeah....things just seem to be going TOO smoothly. Now that i'm not for it...

On May 13 2018 21:00 oBlade wrote:

Yes, it's a terrible place. The whole labor camps, public executions by antiaircraft gun, 70% of the population in desperate need of food and a history of famines that kill millions, your tone strikes me as not having any background knowledge. Around 1,000 manage to defect every year and they don't go back. The total abandonment of their previous life, family, starting over alone, that's a huge decision even for people who have the opportunity. These people are already not your average citizen in that they enjoyed the privilege of working abroad in China. If you didn't decide and plan this for yourself then of course you wouldn't want it.

The fact that kidnapping is bad doesn't mean North Korea is not bad.

Further, it'd be an obvious face-saving gesture to try to protect your family once defecting from the DPRK to walk the state line and say that you were kidnapped anyway.

On May 13 2018 21:00 oBlade wrote:

Yes, it's a terrible place. The whole labor camps, public executions by antiaircraft gun, 70% of the population in desperate need of food and a history of famines that kill millions, your tone strikes me as not having any background knowledge. Around 1,000 manage to defect every year and they don't go back. The total abandonment of their previous life, family, starting over alone, that's a huge decision even for people who have the opportunity. These people are already not your average citizen in that they enjoyed the privilege of working abroad in China. If you didn't decide and plan this for yourself then of course you wouldn't want it.

The fact that kidnapping is bad doesn't mean North Korea is not bad.

Further, it'd be an obvious face-saving gesture to try to protect your family once defecting from the DPRK to walk the state line and say that you were kidnapped anyway.

On May 13 2018 14:39 CROSSDRESSER wrote:
dismissing everything the other side says as "propaganda" is a very popular tool of Western propaganda agencies..