By Lee Han-soo
Ted and James, the sons of James Joseph Dresnok, the former American soldier who defected to North Korea, have appeared in an exclusive interview with Minjok Tongshin, a pro-Pyongyang news agency based in America.
Their perfect Korean pronunciation with a North Korean dialect and badges with faces of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il - the state’s former leaders - on their clothes were the only distinguishing traits for Ted and James, who looked like any other Westerners.
The interview, posted on YouTube Sunday, touched on subjects such as their father, their dreams, the North Korea-United States relationship and their suggestions for the U.S.
The senior James came to North Korea in 1962, aged 21. In a recent documentary with the BBC, it was stated he had taught English and appeared in TV skits, always playing an “evil American.”
With his health failing at the age of 75, it seems that his sons have taken on his role in North Korea’s propaganda.
The sons have Korean names, are married to Korean women and have children.
Older brother Ted, also known as Hong Sun-chol, works at a defense education facility. James is a captain in the North Korean army.
The brothers were clear on their stance against America.
“I want to advise the U.S. to drop its hostile policy against North Korea,” Ted said. “They’ve done enough wrong and now it’s time for them to wake up from their delusions.”
James said the division of Korea was done by “American imperialists.” He said the American imperialists were the leaders who were focused on conquering the world and issuing anti-Korean policies.
At the end of the video, the brothers said the U.S. has no basis for attacking North Korea’s human rights. Drawing the race card, they argued that the U.S. has had violations of its own, such as white police officers shooting black people.
Ted also urged Americans to break from their leaders’ imperialistic views and start talking peace with North Korea. He said this is the only way to save America.