Crying for Korea
I just watched a channel which broadcasted a documentary called "Escaping North Korea*" and am stirred to write this. I don't really know about that socialist country, but after reading several articles on the internet I feel more sad and concerned about North Korean people. Although almost all of them are literate, they do not have freedom for their own lives. As one of five remaining socialist countries in the world, North Korea clearly declare themselves as self-governed country which centralized everything. Food, education, shelter are provided free for the people, but that doesn't mean that the people have enough. Meat and fruits are two rare things for ordinary people. Imagine if you have never known banana, mango, or orange fruits! It's madness!! Imagine that the food "store" in town only provides cabbages, tomatoes, and turnips... Are you feeling lucky now?
You should feel lucky. North Korean people are not allowed to have internet connection or accept any influences from outside world. This concentrated camp which has been allowed to call themselves as a country is a strong proof of human right's violation. While the elite could indulge themselves in finer clothes and transportation, the ordinary people are meant to work like cows and expected to behave in such a way to please the elite (including wearing uniforms every other day of their lives!) So it's not so shocking to know that the live-span of North Koreans are shorter than most people in the world (and similar to Pakistan, Burma, and Russia).
I wonder what would happen after the current dictator, Kim Jong-Il is gone one day. Oh, he is ill-minded, indeed. May the grace of God be upon him and his family, as they have been living in luxury, out of the misery of his people. I couldn't imagine how it likes to be a citizen in that hell on earth which cultivates nuclear weapons, distributes illegal drugs, and builds military zone like some kind of amusement parks.
I still don't know how, but the world must save North Koreans. As one of chinese people who was born outside that socialist country, I can say that I am proud of my ancestors who once decided to have a better future by migrating abroad. Having said that, I will not trade my freedom with anything. And I pray that God will open doors and give hopes for North Koreans. It is not their faults to be born there, and they should not be kept hidden from the rest of the world. They should be able to laugh and speak like other country's citizens. They are God created human beings. The Hermit kingdom sadly were also God created being, and they were here for a purpose. We do not know why such people were created in the first place; Hitler, Saddam Hussein, Mao, Osama bin Laden. What did their mothers teach. What bitterness root. But as Romans 8:28 says, "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." So I truly believe that amongst those bitter roots, there will be one or more better roots that grow to fulfill that purpose. When you are oppressed, you will likely find the best strength inside. God is not neglecting the North Koreans, just like He is not forgetting the Jews. One day we'd look back and see the revelation of His plans for their lives. Maybe not in this decade, maybe not in this world. But I believe God loves and values 10 out of 10 each of his creation. We should remember that whenever we treat other people in our lives.
Do you value a 10 out of yourself?
*The documentary told that North Korean must crossed over China, Myanmar, Thailand, and then fly to South Korean embassy to seek for asylum. If they get caught before they reach Thailand, they will be sent back to North Korea and executed there.
Labels: cruelty, dictator, distress, ill government, introvert, kim jong il, less freedom, lucky, north korea, oppressed people, refugee, socialist, unfortunate people, worst country in the world
