Recently a batch of balloons were released by South Koreans and many North Korean defectors who wished to provide information to the North Korean people. The balloons were attached to bags full of pamphlets of hope, DVD's, world news, and even some money(about $3,000.00 worth to be exact). This was a bold move by the south. North Korea has already responded to the balloon release strongly urging the South Korean government to punish those involved in the release.
This is not the first attempt of its kind. There have been many outreaches to the North Korean people from the South. While the world looks at the North as crazy and cruel, they must understand the opinions are quite different here. Sure, the leadership is nuts, but the people themselves are only victims and, in all truth, prisoners of their unfortunate situation. The South Koreans view the people simply as disconnected friends and family. Many have been separated for fifty years or more without any news passed between them. Parents and children were separated, brothers and sisters, and family friends all were victims of an untimely split. While the world views a terrorist nuclear threat, South Koreans for the most part just see them as relatives.
It seemed crazy to me that the North would actually think that the South would agree to punish those involved. Many of those involved were former North Korean citizens who were smuggled out of the country or who escaped through China and made their way back to their homeland. Inside the balloons all they wanted to convey was a message of hope and freedom and it was seen as a criminal act by Kim Jong Il and his associates.
Liberation is such a dangerous idea for the people, that it will be silenced at all costs by the government. There are already reports coming in that the North Korean government has tried to intercept the balloons. 
Luckily there is no way they could intercept all of them. At least a few messages of hope will be received by those who are suffering in North Korea. Hope is a valuable asset. Sometimes we forget just how valuable. We should count ourselves lucky to have the opportunity to even hear about freedom, much less live it out daily.
Food for thought. To see a video of the release provided by BBC click here
What a great idea! It's amazing the things you don't hear about on this side of the world, thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. Where's the photos of the couch???
Photos of the couch will be up this week. I was trying to wait until we got some covers for the terribly floral design. haha My parents are coming this week and bring me some sheets that are going to cover it. :)
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