Casey Lartigue Jr., co-founder of the Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center, compiled these statements from interviews with the refugees.
Q1. Is it a good idea for South Korea to send an envoy to North Korea in preparation for President Moon Jae-In possibly visiting North Korea?
Q2. How likely is North Korea to attack South Korea?
----------------------------------
Eunsoo, female, arrived in South Korea in 2014
This is a good thing. North Korea already sent a delegation and apparently is seeking ways to reduce tensions. It is better to have talks so there won't be misunderstandings about each other's actions. Moon Jae-In has said that he would like to have talks with North Korea, so he couldn't really reject the offer.
I was brainwashed when I was in North Korea that we had nothing to fear from the world, that we were so powerful that no one would dare challenge us. I remember that I was always ready to attack South Korea or the USA even though I was just a small high school girl.
Now I see that it was just propaganda so we wouldn't focus on our country's own problems. I hope my comment won't make South Koreans relax, young people here are not ready to fight and are so naive about how militaristic North Korea is. I don't believe North Korea will attack, but South Korea needs to show its tough side so the North won't be tempted.
Eunjoo, female, arrived in South Korea in 2013
I hope Moon Jae-In won't go to North Korea. North Korea hasn't and won't change, it will be a waste of time, a one-time political show. I support Trump's policy of isolating North Korea and ridiculing Kim Jong-un. Moon is so stubborn, trying to negotiate with a regime that only wants to destroy South Korea, not negotiate.
North Korea won't attack South Korea. The main target of its propaganda and threats is the USA, not South Korea. It would be stupid for North Korea to attack, and Kim Jong-Un knows it. They are trying a different strategy, such as sending Kim Yo-jong to the Olympics. She also came with Kim Yong-nam, he has a higher ranking and is the true frowning face of North Korea, but the media focused on Kim Yo-jong, making her look so glamorous.
Surely North Korea has studied South Korea enough to know that the media would go crazy over female leaders, cheerleaders and celebrities from North Korea.
Sunhee, female, arrived in South Korea in 2010
There needs to be talks so there will be clear communication. Summits may not yield strong results and humanitarian aid has not had an impact, but talks can maintain trust between the two sides. President Moon is correct to accept Kim Jong-un's invitation for talks, they should talk in a practical way about reunification, not about nuclear weapons.
Thankfully, President Trump is focused on nuclear weapons to deal with North Korea on that issue. The two Koreas can talk about ways to come together.
No way North Korea will attack South Korea. One, Kim Jong-un is not brave enough to attack. He may be a bizarre guy, but Trump looks unpredictable to him and he probably fears that Trump might assassinate him. That's why Kim always has a loud voice, threatening, sending missiles in strategic situations where he isn't directly challenging anyone.
Two, the elite know they would lose their power if there is war. They would stop Kim Jong-un from attacking, even though they will let him brag about walking around with his nuclear button. They know both Koreas would die with another war.
Chol-soo, male, arrived in South Korea in 2017
The impending threat of war on the peninsula has been escalating fast, and I predict that the United States and North Korea will engage in war in a year or two. The day war ensues on the Korean peninsula, a military coup would occur in the North. Most North Korean citizens have no real loyalty to the Kim administration.
Deep inside, they are hopeful for the regime to fall. The frequent missile tests conducted by the North are an attempt to parade the North's military prowess to the world. When the North completes its nuclear submarine, in the belief it can strike South Korea without US interference, it will attempt a strike. In a state of emergency, such as a war with America, Kim would have to delegate some of his power to his generals.
Armed with power and weapons, these generals would lead the nation in a military coup. The ensuing war doesn't mean disaster for South Korea. It will lead to a military coup, and will serve as the catalyst to reunify the peninsula.
Q1. Is it a good idea for South Korea to send an envoy to North Korea in preparation for President Moon Jae-In possibly visiting North Korea?
Q2. How likely is North Korea to attack South Korea?
----------------------------------
Eunsoo, female, arrived in South Korea in 2014
This is a good thing. North Korea already sent a delegation and apparently is seeking ways to reduce tensions. It is better to have talks so there won't be misunderstandings about each other's actions. Moon Jae-In has said that he would like to have talks with North Korea, so he couldn't really reject the offer.
I was brainwashed when I was in North Korea that we had nothing to fear from the world, that we were so powerful that no one would dare challenge us. I remember that I was always ready to attack South Korea or the USA even though I was just a small high school girl.
Now I see that it was just propaganda so we wouldn't focus on our country's own problems. I hope my comment won't make South Koreans relax, young people here are not ready to fight and are so naive about how militaristic North Korea is. I don't believe North Korea will attack, but South Korea needs to show its tough side so the North won't be tempted.
Eunjoo, female, arrived in South Korea in 2013
I hope Moon Jae-In won't go to North Korea. North Korea hasn't and won't change, it will be a waste of time, a one-time political show. I support Trump's policy of isolating North Korea and ridiculing Kim Jong-un. Moon is so stubborn, trying to negotiate with a regime that only wants to destroy South Korea, not negotiate.
North Korea won't attack South Korea. The main target of its propaganda and threats is the USA, not South Korea. It would be stupid for North Korea to attack, and Kim Jong-Un knows it. They are trying a different strategy, such as sending Kim Yo-jong to the Olympics. She also came with Kim Yong-nam, he has a higher ranking and is the true frowning face of North Korea, but the media focused on Kim Yo-jong, making her look so glamorous.
Surely North Korea has studied South Korea enough to know that the media would go crazy over female leaders, cheerleaders and celebrities from North Korea.
Sunhee, female, arrived in South Korea in 2010
There needs to be talks so there will be clear communication. Summits may not yield strong results and humanitarian aid has not had an impact, but talks can maintain trust between the two sides. President Moon is correct to accept Kim Jong-un's invitation for talks, they should talk in a practical way about reunification, not about nuclear weapons.
Thankfully, President Trump is focused on nuclear weapons to deal with North Korea on that issue. The two Koreas can talk about ways to come together.
No way North Korea will attack South Korea. One, Kim Jong-un is not brave enough to attack. He may be a bizarre guy, but Trump looks unpredictable to him and he probably fears that Trump might assassinate him. That's why Kim always has a loud voice, threatening, sending missiles in strategic situations where he isn't directly challenging anyone.
Two, the elite know they would lose their power if there is war. They would stop Kim Jong-un from attacking, even though they will let him brag about walking around with his nuclear button. They know both Koreas would die with another war.
Chol-soo, male, arrived in South Korea in 2017
The impending threat of war on the peninsula has been escalating fast, and I predict that the United States and North Korea will engage in war in a year or two. The day war ensues on the Korean peninsula, a military coup would occur in the North. Most North Korean citizens have no real loyalty to the Kim administration.
Deep inside, they are hopeful for the regime to fall. The frequent missile tests conducted by the North are an attempt to parade the North's military prowess to the world. When the North completes its nuclear submarine, in the belief it can strike South Korea without US interference, it will attempt a strike. In a state of emergency, such as a war with America, Kim would have to delegate some of his power to his generals.
Armed with power and weapons, these generals would lead the nation in a military coup. The ensuing war doesn't mean disaster for South Korea. It will lead to a military coup, and will serve as the catalyst to reunify the peninsula.
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