Thank you to everyone who followed along yesterday with my live tweets from the Hidden Gulag conference here in DC. It was a really fascinating event, and as you could probably tell I tried to capture as much as possible on Twitter.
Before I post any further thoughts and resources, I wanted to give you a chance to read the tweets in full if you weren’t able to keep up yesterday. I included a couple of @replys when useful. If you subscribe by email or RSS, you may have to click through directly to the post to see them.
In the next post, I’ll put out links and references to some of the materials discussed at the conference.
Thanks again to those of you who participated, sent encouragement, and asked questions. Mostly thank you to anyone reading this who is willing to learn more about North Korea and wants to help the people there.
I'm here at Hidden Gulag, hosted by the US Committee for Human Rights in North #Korea. Will be live tweeting some today, so bear with me.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
A rare, detailed report on North Korean gulags, just published by HRNK: http://t.co/dWhkJLIj will find out how to get one elsewhere.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Considering the topic, I think 4 cups is appropriate. http://t.co/G3742jEE
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
HRNK is non-governmental. They "seek to penetrate the information walls" around NK. "We *have* to talk about it." – Roberta Cohen, chair
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Translation here in Korean & English, bc survivors will be speaking in Korean. Attendees about 50% Korean; int'l gov't reps here too.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Hearing from Assemblywoman Park Sun-Young of #ROK. Re China: "Defectors *need* to be recognized as refugees."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"Last Friday I launched a demonstration in front of the Chinese embassy in ROK. One defector I met lost 8 toes to frostbite while escaping."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"There are 7 official camps, but when you consider the hidden gulags, that number increases."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"She was carrying poison. She said, 'pls deliver this poison to my daughter so she can commit suicide.' " – Park Sun-Young #PRK #NorthKorea
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"The #NorthKorea defector issue is not just an issue for themselves. It is our reality, and our pain."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Encouraging to see various races & religions here. So far we've heard from Jewish, Romanian, & Korean speakers. Wide age range, too.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"We've already completed interviews with 10,000 #DPRK defectors." – Yoon Yeo-sang, North Korean Human Rights Archives (NKDB)
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
5 major political prison camps under operation. 30,000-500,000 people imprisoned. 1 recently dismantled, ppl tranferred. #NorthKorea
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
50% ppl don't know what crimes committed – imprisoned under guilt by association laws. #NorthKorea (frm Hidden Gulag conference today in DC)
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Now David Hawk, who wrote book/report "Hidden Gulag, 1st & 2nd ed." that I mentioned earlier, avail today. Will let u know how to obtain.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"We have not obtained intl recognition that these #humanrights violations rise to the level of crimes against humanity." – Hawk
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Rec. resource: http://t.co/HSNvd3CK AND a link to @committeehrnk 's reports, inc today's 2nd ed of "Hidden Gulag": http://t.co/M0XVwZLb
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Defector An Chan-Il, World Federation of North Korean Refugees (WINK), discussing lack of access to phones, internet in DPRK.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
On how he sees no sign of improvement: "ppl treated like animals in prison camps, never allowed outside" can't launch their Arab Spring.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Images of these gulags are avail via satellite software like Google Earth. Locations were found based on hand-drawn sketches frm survivors.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
The Korean-language version of Google Earth apparently a better resource than English. "It's very easy for former NK's to locate prisons."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
To see camps using Google Earth, check this out: http://t.co/3mMQSLmu // "Our real goal is to get Google street view in DPRK." (laughter)
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"How do we deal w/ sexy headline topics like nukes when we want to focus on human rights?" – Gordon Flake
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
<— Hear from defectors, feed what they say back into NK. Document, bc there *will* be an accounting, & we shld prep 4 future. – G. Flake
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Break! Have my tweets depressed you? Here's a cute picture of our dog. http://t.co/nTcG5fwr
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Do you have any pressing questions about #NorthKorea? Let me know & I'll try to find out.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Now hearing from Blaine Harden, author of new book "Escape from Camp 14" & Shin Dong-Hyuk, survivor whose story book tells.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
To stand against repressive regimes, we're starting by breaking fire codes. pic.twitter.com/UICEnnUv
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Acc to Shin Dong-Hyuk, camps sometimes have "reward marriages" – single ppl given to each other in camps to breed children.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Frm "Escape frm Camp 14": prisoners who don't know of any country but NK. Describes families w/no trust bc kids brainwashed to snitch.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"I didn't want to write a book because thinking about it gives me pain and I have nightmares about the torture." Shin Dong-Hyuk
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"But Harden persuaded me to leave a record for my people."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"I first claimed I did not know about the public execution about my mother & brother. The truth is, they died bc I snitched on them."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"I was born in prison through reward marriage. But no family is formed. They're just fellow inmates, & you're required to report on them."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"I didn't feel guilty. In NK, parents aren't parents. Later I found out what love & family are. I learned love for 1st time in S. Korea."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"Many ppl born bc of system of reward marriage, not out of love. If you see suspicious acts, you have to tell. It's natural part of life."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"Whenever ppl say I'm famous bc of this book, it gives me pain. It makes my heart break. This is just a tip of the iceberg of what happens."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Now Gordon Chang: author of "Nuclear Showdown: North Korea Takes on the World." 1st time in US, which he was raised to believe is enemy.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Common practice for defectors to carry poison for suicide in case caught. "In S. Korea I came to realize how inhuman it was in N. Korea."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"There's one thing N. Korea is afraid of: a stir by the N. Korean ppl. In particular ppl who talk to defectors or hear about Christianity."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
<– Those people are sent as political prisoners to the camps so the ideas don't spread.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Sorry, clarification: last speaker was Choi Yun-Cheol of N. Korea Strategy Center. Seemed pretty weird to hear frm a defector named Gordon.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
As detailed in "Escape from Camp 14," Shin committed no crime. He was born in camp, & if he didn't escape he would've died there.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Pierre Rigoulot – author of "Aquariums of #Pyongyang." –>
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"We find a mother w/no love 4 her son, teachers who kill students. Cruelty practiced w/ a clear conscience. & repression is the key element"
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Re: Escape frm Camp 14: "Some inmates bear witness to resistance, dignity & kindness – & in Shin's escape, a place where shame can be felt."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Q&A: "If you're going to spread awareness about this in the US, churches are going to have to lead. Can you comment on this?"
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
A: "In S. Korea churches are leading, not only to help ppl get to Seoul but to help them w/what they've seen & lived."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"I think [Escape from Camp 14] will be important. When you've read this book, you can't be indifferent or ignore." – Rigoulot
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Another great question: "Is food aid a false trail to be following, or a legitimate way to address #humanrights in #DPRK?"
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Hmm… "At some pt it's important to extend a hand, but only when the N. Koreans are willing to work with the international community."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
If instability comes to N. Korea, Choi Yun-cheol fears all inmates would be summarily executed.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"The Holocaust Museum gives me pain. I've been there more than 30 times." – Shin Dong-Hyuk
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"Whenever I see the video clips (of bodies found), I imagine the future of the prison camps. The Holocaust is not a thing of the past."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"When we find the N. Korean people executed in the same way, what will we think?"
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
On previous q about churches: Many Korean-Americans concerned that some ppl see this issue as too political to take to the pulpit.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"Escape frm Camp 14" sent to many church leaders, so far w/ little result. "There's still so much to be done, miles to go." – Harden
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Break for a while. We're gonna try for a loaves and fishes miracle here, aka lunch.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Book signing: Escape from Camp 14. pic.twitter.com/bQLk1s8f
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
About to hear from Ambassador Robert King, US Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
In addition to NK, King is apparently also an expert on Communist Romania. Love him already.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
The situation in North Korea is far worse than Soviet Union in 70s-80s but with less outcry, according to Ambassador King.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
You can't have a tunable radio in N. Korea. Still, research indicates some 20-30% of North Koreans do listen to foreign broadcast. – King
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Earlier speaker said we have lots of info on NK, that it's false to claim otherwise. Ambassador seems to disagree, citing lack of info.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
First US political personality to speak, & fluffy compared to others. These keynote addresses tend to feel like commercials for the US.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
King: "I'll take questions as long as they're not too mean." Um okay? Find that a bit ironic at a conference on repression.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Q&A: Is the Kim dynasty afraid of the Ceaucescu model in #Romania happening to them if they open up at all?
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
A: Ceaucescu modeled some policy after DPRK. But was different bc of strength of Soviet connection. NK def took notice of his fall, though.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Q: For State Dept, any additional plans after suspension of food aid?
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
A: "It would be foolish for gov't not to have contingency plans, but also foolish to talk about them with the press." (laughter)
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Next panel is on women. I'm hoping for helpful & new insights. Just listing atrocities could be frustrating, not to mention untweetable.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Under N Korean law, women allowed full & equal participation in public sector, but in actuality there's discrimination & worsened rights.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Factories fire women 1st, as example of workplace discrimination. Poverty forced women forced to care for family, farm & work. #DPRK
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
As a result, women became somewhat empowered while many unemployed men turned to alcohol. Reports of serious #domesticabuse problems. #DPRK
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Which helps in part to explain a recent uptick in divorces filed by women in #NorthKorea.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
#Humantrafficking huge problem 4 women in #NorthKorea. Facing both that AND domestic violence back home, many wait until they can just flee.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Women in North Korea – not just prisoners – also face strip searches, assault, & forced abortions.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Now viewing pic of labor camp that produces bicycles. No bathrooms, so no shower privacy for women. One bldg labeled as crematorium. #DPRK
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
(By the way, sorry for ruining everyone's day. How many followers I'm probably losing right now!)
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
In case you're wondering, all of that info was from Ku Hyeon-Ja of the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB).
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
NKDB collects & analyses survivor testimonies. As part of their work, they record names of abusers. Cite over 23,000 eyewitnesses.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Now hearing from Kim Young-soon, who escaped in 2001. Considered a leader among defectors/escapees.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"My son tried to escape. He was caught and executed. My husband was transferred 42 years ago. I don't know if he's still alive."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
In the prisons "people have to catch what they eat; they look for anything edible."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Hannah Suh of The Hanns Seidel Foundation: "We need to think about not just what to say, but how to say it to appeal to ppl."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"I got into this issue after watching a Korean dating show, where a contestant didn't want to share her story bc she was a NK defector."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"I'm afraid this conference will be used by the media for political purposes. Media has to play a role – to let people take action." #Korea
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"N Korea & S #Korea have shared 1000s of yrs. I believe reunification is possible, that we can play a role in opening hearts of NK ppl."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"Place to Make a Good Person Through Education" translation of term 4 prison. Substance of education, survivors said: memorization. -Hawk
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Forced abortions & infanticide racially motivated (at least in part); used against women caught on the border w/ China. – Hawk
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
These are women who fled to #China, were trafficked, impregnated, arrested by China & forced to return to DPRK, THEN tortured.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
General knowledge now among North Koreans about what will happen to you if you're sent back. (That's why ppl carry poison.)
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Gender population of prison camps mostly 50/50 because of guilt by association laws. – Kim Young-soon
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Women feed mice to their babies in the camp, but often young men catch the mice 1st. Causes food poisoning, sometimes death – Kim Young-soon
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Kim Young-soon is shouting into the mic, which really hurts my ears bc of translation headphones. But I can't blame her.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Just interviewed w/ org that broadcasts into N Korea, trying to explain definition of "human right." Maybe the coolest thing I've ever done.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Now a panel discussing connection between North Korea & the dismantlement of Soviet/Nazi camps.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Now discussion moving to dismantlement. In particular, liberators needed foreign languages to help prison camp survivors.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
When Nazi camps dismantled, orphans learned table manners to ease adoption efforts. NK orphans likely need similar training, perhaps more.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
@paz_siempre China has partnered w/DPRK to return all arrested defectors. They also have been complicit in allowing trafficking of NK women.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
@paz_siempre AND they arrest anyone who helps defectors, which is often Christian missionaries on the border.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Fascinating how NK brainwashing is not just memorization, but recitation. Speech is powerful, & so is filling our minds w/good things.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
It's important to remember kindness in these stories, too. And they exist. Guards who give extra food, teachers who show mercy.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Powerful stories of kindness in the gulags come from books on religious prisoners who sacrifice their lives. I'll post some references tom.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
MT @paz_siempre: @jocastlemiller China can never step into 21st c. while taking such positions on HR. Equally responsible 4 defectors' fate.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
@paz_siempre Congressional committee just held a hearing on China's policies toward defectors, so it's at least getting some attn now.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Agencies responding to Nazi dismantlement scored well 4 relief, not well 4 rehabilitation. -Robert Williams of US Holocaust Memorial Museum
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Wrong Allied assumption that survivors were 1 ppl group. Were actually diff classes, genders, etc. Important 2 *know* prisoners. – Williams
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Park Sun-young here, spoke earlier. Panelist points out she still hasn't recovered frm hunger strike re: Chinese repatriation of defectors.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Park's protest was one of largest in history on behalf of North Koreans. She is applauded for being a "true heroine."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Q: Is #ROK preparing for the dismantlement of prison camps in #DPRK? If so, how?
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
A (From Son Hyun-Jin): "Yes. But we need intl efforts in order to create any change. We need to gather more external pressure."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Q: Do we know of plans/strategies in N Korea to liquidate the camps in case of #DPRK's collapse?
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
A: In Germany, attempts failed bc of radio failure; also Himmler spec. ordered not to kill prisoners, to save as hostages. NK may do same.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Another A: Drills already done in NK to execute prisoners in case of war. However, #ROK also already done drills to get to inmates 1st.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
And another A: Possible that guards might want to escape, too, thus ruining the plan to execute prisoners if situation becomes unstable.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
The story about the drills done in the prisons came from interviews with prison guards who defected. #NorthKorea
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Last panel: Legal & Intl #HumanRights Remedies & Dealing w/ Prisoners' Claims. Will discuss policy, courts, other responses to NK #gulags.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Noticing a cultural difference: S Korea speakers have mostly used quiet voices, while N Korean speakers have mostly shouted into the mic.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Clearly, activity in #DPRK gulags violates ICC laws & Int'l Declaration of Human Rights. See that declaration here: http://t.co/stK05jcD
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
We've negotiated & talked for over 10 yrs. Now is time to use sticks – like ICC & UN. – Rep frm #ROK Nat'l Human Rights Commission
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"World focuses on missiles, but remains relatively unengaged about suffering in #DPRK." – Jared Genser, US Pro Bono attorney on NK issues.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
"Kim Jong-un has a decision to make. He personally is responsible for crimes against humanity committed in #DPRK." – Genser
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Genser: We need to make sure he understands that decision by telling him personally. Good news is, it's not subject to political vote, bc…
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
…Int'l Coalition to Stop Crimes Against Humanity in N Korea already has begun process of calling out DPRK. (Others have too, inc HRNK)
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Ah, clarification: Other groups, like HRNK, are a part of that coalition. Learn more about it here: http://t.co/qIg0KJoI
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Q: What can be done? A: I have no idea. <– Awesome. Great to end on a hopeful note.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
US measures acts against concept of legality. Great for rule of law, not great when working w/ lawless country – Roh Jeong-ho of Columbia U.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
#DPRK has law, it's just that instead of protecting the ppl, the law protects the state. That's how N Koreans view the law. – Roh Jeong-ho
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
165,000 petitions signed for NK embassy in Switzerland + survivor speaking tours. – Rajiv Narayan of @amnesty
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Great storytelling & talent needed: Major goal at this point for helping victims of North Korean gulag system is raising awareness.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
You know, no biggie: "Name & shame the N Koreans, get the prisoners released, have NK admit these camps exist." – Rajiv Narayan of @amnesty
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Further resource: North Korea Human Rights Act of 2004 –> http://t.co/7jzlMINj
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Genser: My hope is that a report of David Hawk's scope will mean even more if it comes from the UN. <— That's really unfortunate.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Q: Any NK assets in US that would allow defectors to use Alien Tort Claims Act against NK? Answer: Silence. But really good question.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Acc to defector, Kim Jong-il said during 90s famine: "If we lose control the US & S. Korea will hang us. If they don't, our own ppl will."
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
That defector was propaganda minister at the time, & the quote may suggest UN resolutions & other policies make absolutely no difference.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Says Kim Tae-hoon of #ROK: #DPRK is scared. N Korean ppl are aware right now, & that gives us the chance to intervene.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Q: Well-known that NK launders $; Can US act on this & effectively stop Chinese banks frm working w/NK in order to do business in US?
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
A: Yes, but requires US to go toe-to-toe w/ China, which US might not be willing to do. But China soon may not like NK nuclear issues.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Another A: The US has leverage, but the more sanctions you impose, the more you hurt the economy – & who really suffers then?
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Another A: There's always a balance w/ sanctions. Focus needs to be human rights violations, then link them w/ sanctions as we can.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
We've reached the end. Thank you SO much to everyone who's read along, joined the conversation, & sent encouragement.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
I hope it was useful to hear about the situation in #DPRK. I'll be publishing add'l resources on my blog this wk: http://t.co/Q7sNyEPh
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Last thoughts: "We know enough. We know enough to pass this information forward." Hopefully we'll find ways to tell the story effectively.
— Joanna Castle Miller (@jocastlemiller) April 10, 2012
Filed under Asia, Children, Communism, Hunger, Justice, Love, Men, Orphans, Prison, Propaganda, Protest, Refugees, Slavery, Women, Wrongful Imprisonment · Tagged with China, gulags, Holocaust, human trafficking, North Korea, prison, prison camp, Twitter
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