Nothing to Envy

Hey guys,

So a while back, I read a book called Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea written by Los Angeles Times journalist, Barbara Demick. To be honest, I had no idea what this book was about or how much people had raved about it after its publication. I had chosen it after plopping myself quite comfortably in the middle of the “History” section of Barnes & Noble and was forced to narrow down my teetering pile of books I wanted to buy. I decided, what the heck, I know next to nothing about North Korea and I already have enough World War II novels at home. It might as well have been World War II.

So I bought it. And I read it. And I couldn’t stop reading it.

It was not unlike the time I was first introduced to Harry Potter and I devoured chapter after chapter in the first week; reading while eating, reading while socializing, reading while in the car, reading in the shower. (Okay the last one didn’t quite work, but that didn’t stop me from trying to read through a condensation-covered Ziploc bag)

Barbara’s story intrigued me from the very beginning. It was just so compelling reading a truly factual account of what it’s like to live in such an isolationist country famous for its horrors that occur behind a smoke screen, while at the same time feeling like you’re just reading a fictional novel.

It had to be made up, there was no way this was true. The interlocking stories of the various North Korean civilians were heart-breaking–a true paean of the human soul, and what it meant to be human in a place where our finest qualities- freedom of action, freedom of speech, and freedom of opinion- were quite literally outlawed. The beautiful language and imagery brought to life what many will never see with their own eyes (though I still hope someday I can), and I believe it wholly succeeded in reminding us, those are humans right there.

Humans who are undergoing something that has been compared by the United Nations to World War II’s atrocities under the Nazi regime.

In fact, North Korea is worse.

As many as 120,000 North Koreans are thought to be imprisoned across the country, most held captive in four main labour camps. Sound familiar?

Satellite images are all we have of these labour camps.

It doesn’t stop there. The Orwellian regime employs loudspeakers hard-wired to distribute government news into every household, T.V.‘s (for the few who own them) are set to only display one channel (that is complete propaganda), and the act of snitching on other people who have said or done anything against Kim’s kingdom is encouraged and rewarded.

In the 400-page U.N. report, the DPRK’s horrific acts include (but are not limited to), “crimes against humanity entail[ing] extermination, murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions and other sexual violence, persecution on political, religious, racial and gender grounds, the forcible transfer of populations, the enforced disappearance of persons, and the inhumane act of knowingly causing prolonged starvation.”

It’s a story strikingly reminiscent of the 20th century nightmare.

Three North Korean children pictured here, starved, deeply malnourished, a symbol of the widespread famine that hit the country in the 90’s.

But, what can we do? Diplomacy obviously hasn’t worked and probably will not work in the future. Fighting is out of the question due to the threat of nuclear annihilation if either country detonates their weapons of mass destruction. And the stubborn Chinese patronage of the Hermit Kingdom prevents North Korea from being heard or tried at the ICC (International Criminal Court).

It’s tough, when we can see with our very own eyes history being repeated. Especially because we do know what’s happening and we are aware that hundreds are dying as each day passes.

The best we can do is focus on the people, not politics.

In such an instance where outrageous crimes against humanity are occurring right under our very noses, all we can really do is save the few who manage to make it out.

You might wonder, well, why help those who made it out? They’re already out.

But they’re not.

Imagine growing up in a bubble all of your life, oblivious to the outside world beyond the borders surrounding your home and all you have known. You speak only your language, and have never known anything beyond that. Then imagine entering the Outside World by yourself, alone with next to no money, hungry, tired, desperate and vulnerable to those who prey on such naive victims.

Even public celebratory ceremonies are decorated with propaganda posters.

It’s a tough world out there for all of us, but especially for North Koreans. Particularly because many times the few defectors brave enough to escape North Korea never make it past China’s borders. With China’s strong alliance to Kim Jong-Un’s country, most defectors are discovered and ratted out within a month by local police. They are then deported back to North Korea where they face steep retributions for their “crimes against their homeland”, including being sent to the horrible gulags. The worst part is, according to Confucian tradition that has influenced much of Asia, when one family member does something wrong, the entire family is dishonoured. Three generations, to be exact. So, if a defector is caught and repatriated back to North Korea, not only do they face prison camp and likely execution, but their entire three-generational family is typically sent to the camp as well.

So, why is it a good idea to help defectors, you ask?

Because, by helping those who are out of the country already we can fight Kim’s regime from the inside. Those who manage to make their way out tend to speak up about their experiences. Once they find out what the words “human rights” actually constitutes, they realize they’ve been missing out on those supposedly “fundamental rights”. They write books; they speak out at United Nations conferences; they are interviewed; they become the subject of documentaries. This all raises awareness of an issue most are not nearly familiar enough with. And this is how a change is made.

As inquiry chairman, Michael Kirby, told a press conference in Geneva after the U.N.’s report was released, “At the end of the Second World War so many people said, 'If only we had known, if only we had known the wrongs that were done in the countries of the hostile forces. There will be no excusing the failure of action because we didn’t know — we do know.”

The two Kims who started it all: Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il.

And with that thought, I leave you friends.

Regina L.

On a side note, if you too feel passionate about helping these North Korean refugees reach safety and inclusion into their societies, I recommend checking out the organization Liberty In North Korea. They are helping raise awareness for this issue and use 100% of their donations and funds to help defectors in rescuing, resettlement, education, transportation, housing, and food. If you want to support them or just look around, you can visit their website here

Then again, maybe we should be focusing more on Dennis Rodman and his weird relationship with the dictator. Maybe he’s the answer to bringing down Kim…I mean, a little backstabbing never hurt right?