“In
a nuclear war there would be no victors, only victims…” ~Pope Benedict XVI
 |
| Joseph Ferris with some North Korean kids (Image Credit: Joseph Ferris) |
A
nuclear weapon making, world war threatening, missile parading, stubborn country; this is the picture the international media has painted in our minds about
North Korea, but how true is this image? This is the question we will answer on
today’s episode of the stroll.
Welcome
to the STROLL, my name is Ebenezar. Today, I’d be shinning the spotlight on a country that has been in the
news for some time now because of her nuclear policy and the international
sanctions that have followed her. Contrary to what you see on TV, I’m not trying
to castigate North Korea rather I’m going to give you an exclusive tour of this
country through the eyes of a person who knows North Korea more than many of
us.
My
guest Mr. Joseph is a master mariner, photographer, North Korean guide with
Young Pioneer tours, and creator of the popular blog 'American in North Korea'. Having
visited North Korea countless times; he’s fully equipped with a robust
knowledge of the North Korean people and culture, and it’s that knowledge he’d
share with us on this stroll. This is not a journalism speculation, media hype,
or a politically motivated press report. This is, a stroll in North Korea. See for
yourself:
Ebenezar: Thank you Mr. Joseph for having this stroll with me
Joseph: You’re welcome; I hope I’d be able to help…
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| A military parade in North Korea (Image Credit: Reuters) |
Ebenezar: The international Media has painted North Korea as a very 'stiff' country that makes
missiles and restricts internet access. Are the people of North Korea this way?
Joseph: Like everywhere else in the
world, in the DPRK you will encounter friendly and humorous people, as well as
cranky and rude people, but in general the everyday people you encounter are
shy and polite. To me traveling to the DPRK is like time travel.
The government preaches to their citizens to foster wholesome family
values, and overwhelmingly this message sticks. There is an innocence to
the people, and to me it’s like being in a simpler age, before mass media and
all the pressures of fast paced modern society that the rest of the world deals
with.
Ebenezar: Does North Korea accept visitors? Like tourists and sightseers...
Ebenezar: Does North Korea accept visitors? Like tourists and sightseers...
Joseph: Marshall Kim Jong-un has
recently instituted a new policy to encourage tourism, so tourists are certainly welcome to visit. Of course as everybody
knows, visitors to the DPRK will be escorted by North Korean guides. They
are not as harsh as the western media loves to portray them as, at least if you
come to their country with the right intentions: to learn their culture, experience
their hospitality, and have fun. When you play by these rules visitors
typically have a splendid experience. But visit with ulterior motives—that is;
undercover journalism, or to prove your view points about the country—and, the
guides will quickly identify your true motives and limit your access.
 |
| Dennis Rodman and the Harlem Globetrotters during their visit to North Korea (AP Photo/ Kim Kwang Hyon) |
Ebenezar: Whao! Okay, that’s good to
know… I know you're not a nuclear expert. But what is your personal opinion
about nuclear tests and the use of nuclear energy?
Joseph: Though in the future there
is great possibility for clean, safe, Nuclear energy, current technology has
yet to reach that idea; Fukushima clearly illustrates the dangers. When
traveling in the DPRK, especially after visiting China, I am struck by how environmentally sound it is. Although like most countries DPRK is not without
pollution, I was impressed by its clear skies, pristine beaches, wonderful
seafood, and the energy and resources devoted to planting trees and reforestation.
As the DPRK moves to develop Nuclear energy it would be a shame if a
Fukushima-like accident were to damage their other achievements.
Ebenezar: After seeing what happened at Chernobyl, Fukushima, and other places we've had nuclear accidents in the world. Don't you think humanity should just
dump the use of nuclear power?
Joseph: Though I’m not an expert, it
has become common knowledge that nuclear weapons provide poorer countries with leverage when dealing with the developed
world, in effect taking the threat of military invasion off the table.
However, this of course necessitates the development and maintenance of a
nuclear arsenal with all the crippling costs and environmental dangers.
The alternative is engagement, true diplomacy that will not cease
regardless of ideological differences.
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| President Kim inspecting a military base |
For my part I believe tourism is a soft approach to diplomacy. The Americans
who travel to North Korea don’t bring with them the American way of life, they
just bring friendly faces from the States, and in North Korea that’s both novel
and welcome.
Ebenezar: How are public holidays celebrated in North Korea? Are
festivals there open to the rest of the world?
Joseph: North Koreans love public
holidays. Liberation Day, Victory Day, and the leader's birthdays often include massive military parades and rallies. When
possible, North Koreans take advantage of holidays, taking time off from work
to gather in parks with their families, enjoy picnics, song and dance, and various
folk competitions such as; tug of war.
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| North Korean kids performing during a festival (Image Credit: Joseph Ferris) |
Ebenezar: hehehe… that’s warm, unlike what we see on TV. Okay, if you notice in
the news recently we've been hearing about many lives that have been lost due
to regular re-occurrence of cap siding boats. As a mariner, what do you think is
causing these painful re-occurrences?
Joseph: I have
a hard time believing that incidents of maritime shipping disasters are on the
increase. International standards of training and watch keeping are at a
high level, and are required worldwide throughout the maritime community.
Of course accidents still happen, and as ships continue to get larger,
their occurrences tend to make compelling front page stories.
Ebenezar: yeah,
it’s sad. I hope things get better soon. Thank you so much for this exclusive
tour Mr. Joseph…
Joseph: it was
a pleasure Ebenezar, glad I could help.
*********************************************************************************
For more about
Mr. Joseph(@JosephferrisIII) and to visit his American in North Korea blog,
click here
The Fukushima and Chernobyl nuclear disasters
should always serve as a lesson to the world and most especially every person
advocating for the increase in the use of nuclear energy. There are other
cleaner, greener, sources we can harness; let’s stop this nuclear addiction.
I’d also like
to advise President Kim to renew relations with the rest of the world, get rid
of all missiles and war heads, and reconcile with President Park of South Korea.
Let the words of Pope Benedict make meaning to you Mr. Kim; “In a nuclear war there
are no victors, only victims…” Nuclear war will mark the end of humanity; you
can’t play with fire and expect not to get burnt.
Till my next
stroll; Jesus loves you.
Ebenezar
Wikina(@poeticjazz)
THE
STROLL
INTERNATIONAL
DAY AGAINST NUCLEAR TESTS
AUGUST
2013
All
Rights Reserved
THE STROLL WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Now, I most certainly will have to visit North Korea someday. I have always seen Kim as a spoilt brat seeking the end of the world in a Hitler way.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sir Wikina.