North Korea: Exposing the 'Hidden People' of A King's Country
Longtime North Korea-watchers argue against international aid
WASHINGTON, May 11, 2011 - Over 22 million people live isolated and repressed lives under the restrictive regime of Kim Jong Il on the North Korean peninsula, according to North Korea experts Ralph Hassig and Kongdan "Katy" Oh.
With a close look into the lives of individuals and the structure of an enigmatic society, Hassig and Oh's book The Hidden People of North Korea presents in-depth research ranging from the government's diminished control of information to the ordinary citizens' daily search for food, water, and medicine, and makeshift public transportation.
As Hassig and Oh present it, life in this country led by a single authoritarian leader is, for most, a constant struggle for survival. "This is not a socialist, democratic, or communist country... it is basically a king's country. Everything is for Kim and keeping him in power... For the average person, it is 'How will I eat and survive?'"
The most noteworthy element of the two writers' presentation was their argument against international aid for North Korea. In their view, foreign aid and six-party talks have proven either useless, or worked to the advantage of the regime.
Instead, the pair suggested, continued covert shipments of more mobile phones, educational materials about the rest of the world, and non-perishable foodstuffs will prove most beneficial — and, ideally, will lead to a gradual uprising within the most closed-off country in the world.
Reported by Kenisha Marks, Asia Society Washington