(Via Korea Liberator) THe Dong-A Ilbo interviews the US Special Envoy to North Korea. Here is a couple of quotes that I find revealing

“Korea could have triggered bigger changes in North Korea by utilizing its enormous influence on North Korea that was developed through economic investment, and humanitarian aid. Though the Gaesong industrial complex project is currently underway, the Korean government should feel responsibility for issues of North Korean workers’ protection, rights, and payment of wages.”

Rights. Now there’s a concept a lot of Korean politicians cannot seem to grasp.

-There are controversies over bread and freedom. A few days ago, the election in Republic of Belarus gave the impression that its people chose bread. Progressive groups in Korea also say that for hungry people, it is premature to discuss freedom.

“It seems that people of Belarus chose bread over freedom. But without freedom, it is difficult for a society to sustain itself. A dictator may feed his people right now. But he can change his mind anytime.”

It is a question of what you want. Do you want to be fed, or do you want to have the right to feed yourself. In my opinion, human rights and dependency are not compatable.

In Japan

Pyongyang has promised to strongly counter Japan’s raids on pro-North Korean organizations in Tokyo, the official Korean Central News Agency said.

The Japanese authorities must face serious consequences for their sinister actions, the agency quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying Tuesday.

Last Thursday, Japanese police searched six places including the Osaka Prefectural Association of Koreans in Commerce and several homes owned by Koreans, who are allegedly connected with the abductions of Japanese citizens by North Korea from the 1970s to 1980s.

The spokesman also denounced the Japanese government for withdrawing tax exemption from facilities belonging to the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan.

The spokesman said the Japanese government had abandoned its promise to treat Koreans in Japan in a friendly manner and not discriminate against them.

Unfortunately, I doubt the Japanese would tell the North Koreans that they are just making them feel at home.

To many, including me, YouTube is a source for time wasting, but such power to draw viewers can be used for good, like this (Via. The Jawa Report)