Casey Lartigue Jr., co-founder of the Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center, compiled these statements from interviews with the refugees. TNKR co-founder Lee Eun-koo translated the material.
Q. What do you think about the North Korean cheerleaders, athletes and musicians joining the Pyeongchang Olympics?
1. Kyung-ho (arrived in South Korea in 2009)
This was a bad decision by the South Korean government.
First, it is ironic because at the same time that North Korea is cracking down on North Koreans who listen to K-pop, South Korea is using resources to spread North Korean ideology. Everything North Korea does is to further its ideology, and South Korea is helping. I cannot understand what South Korea is doing when this is clearly propaganda.
Second, all of the players are from the elite. They will only be allowed to come here if they have demonstrated their allegiance to the government. There cannot be any real integration _ the athletes as well as the South Korean government are tools of the North Korean government, plus South Korea is even willing to pay North Korea to use the South as a tool.
2. Sujin (arrived in South Korea in 2014)
I do not understand why the South Korean government is doing this. North Korea will see this as weakness and stupidity by South Korea, not as a chance for good relations. North Korea only understands threats and force, that is why North Korea fears and secretly respects U.S. President Trump, but has no respect for President Moon and probably sees him as being a little stupid or naive.
3. Hyuk-cho (arrived in South Korea in 2016)
Frankly, I don't pay attention to North Korean issues these days. I am happy that I escaped from there.
4. Cheol-ho (arrived in South Korea in 2017)
Indifference. That is my true feeling about this. There are pros and cons, but at the end of the day, this co-operation does not really promise much in a political sense. I know the advocates say there is always the possibility to interact with foreigners, but that is unlikely to happen in reality.
How much is it worth it for the South Korean government to pay North Korea for this? I think an even bigger problem than the cheerleaders is that athletes from the South Korean team will miss out in order to give North Korean athletes an opportunity.
Q. What do you think about the North Korean cheerleaders, athletes and musicians joining the Pyeongchang Olympics?
1. Kyung-ho (arrived in South Korea in 2009)
This was a bad decision by the South Korean government.
First, it is ironic because at the same time that North Korea is cracking down on North Koreans who listen to K-pop, South Korea is using resources to spread North Korean ideology. Everything North Korea does is to further its ideology, and South Korea is helping. I cannot understand what South Korea is doing when this is clearly propaganda.
Second, all of the players are from the elite. They will only be allowed to come here if they have demonstrated their allegiance to the government. There cannot be any real integration _ the athletes as well as the South Korean government are tools of the North Korean government, plus South Korea is even willing to pay North Korea to use the South as a tool.
2. Sujin (arrived in South Korea in 2014)
I do not understand why the South Korean government is doing this. North Korea will see this as weakness and stupidity by South Korea, not as a chance for good relations. North Korea only understands threats and force, that is why North Korea fears and secretly respects U.S. President Trump, but has no respect for President Moon and probably sees him as being a little stupid or naive.
3. Hyuk-cho (arrived in South Korea in 2016)
Frankly, I don't pay attention to North Korean issues these days. I am happy that I escaped from there.
4. Cheol-ho (arrived in South Korea in 2017)
Indifference. That is my true feeling about this. There are pros and cons, but at the end of the day, this co-operation does not really promise much in a political sense. I know the advocates say there is always the possibility to interact with foreigners, but that is unlikely to happen in reality.
How much is it worth it for the South Korean government to pay North Korea for this? I think an even bigger problem than the cheerleaders is that athletes from the South Korean team will miss out in order to give North Korean athletes an opportunity.
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