Korea

Korea The Korean Peninsula is a place with tons of wonderful people and an unique history. North and South Korea's contentious problems span way before 2009. Each nation have a common history, but they are divided into 2 countries for ideological (and political reasons). Kim Jong Il's extremism has been exposed for all to witness. King Jong Il runs North Korea with an iron fist. Typically, torturous prisons transpire in North Korea that can house even innocent citizens of North Korea. There are religious liberty suppression in that nation. Christians, Buddhists, and other non-atheists on a regular basis risk lives in order to just peacefully express the dictates of their personal faiths. Some Christians

and other religious people have been assaulted, murdered, and killed, because of their religious creed. That's barbaric and immoral of course. The history of Korea stretches from the Lower Paleolithic times to the present. There were pottery in the ancient times inside the area of Korea. The Bronze Age came about in Korea during 2,500 B.C. According to the Samguk Yusa and other Korean medieval era records, the Gojoseon (or the Old Joseon) kingdom was said to be created in ca. 2333 B.C. It spread from the peninsula to much of Manchuria. In the time of Jesus Christ, there were the Three Kingdoms (Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje) conquered other successor states of Gojoseon and came to dominate the peninsula and much of Manchuria. The three kingdoms competed with each other both economically and militarily. Goguryeo and Baekje were more powerful for much of the era. Goguryeo even defeated massive Chinese invasions. The Silla Kingdom ruled most of the Korean peninsula by 676 A.D. The Korean Empire lasted from 1897 until 1910. The Japanese imperalists rule Korea from 1910 until 1945. Korea repelled Japanese invasions between 1592

to 1598. Beginning in the 1870s, Japan began to force Korea out of China's sphere of influence into its own. In 1895, Empress Myeongseong was assassinated by Japanese agents. In 1910 Japan effectively annexed Korea by the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty. Korea didn't respect the legality of the treaty. The reason was that it was not signed by the Emperor of Korea as required and it violated the international convention on external pressures regarding treaties. Japan used a puppet Governor General of Korea to rule Korea until Japan's unconditional surrender to the Allied Forces existed on August 15, 1945. The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea immediately ruled Korea after WWII. European-styled transport and communication networks developed in Korea. More modernization occurred as well in Korea. On September 8, 1945, America

occupied southern Korea and the Soviet Union occurred the northern part of Korea. The border was the 38th parallel. At first, the division was though to be temporary until an unified Korea would be agreed upon (by America, the UK, the Soviets, and China). No solution was done until September 1947 when the United States submitted the Korean question to the UN General Assembly. Cold War politics evaporated any hope of a unified Korea. In 1948, North and South Korean nations were established.

The Korean War occurred, because of many factors. The Communists made China their country by the late 1940's. The U.S. made political discussions about China more of a reality. Traid Chaing Kai-shek successed him. Kai-Shek battled later against the Communists for China. Mao hated Christianity since a missionary rejected him for being Chinese. Mao's mentor was Li Tachao who had ties with the Red Spears Secret Society. Li Ch'i-han was a early Communist and leader of the Green Gang Secret Society. This following history relates to the Chinese Revolution of the 1900's. High level State Department officials, such as Harry Dexter White and Owen Lattimore, use

false documents to promote the Communists. In fact the West encouraged Mao to rule China since they accused Chiang of being a dictator. Communist leader Mao won by 1950 sending Chiang (who Western supplies to him came later) to Taiwan. Other proChiang forces became the KMT working with the CIA in the Golden Triangle. Harry Truman publicly condemned the Chinese because of political disagreements. Harry Truman wanted to develop a cohesion foreign policy in dealing with the Soviet Union and the Communists the world over in the late 1940's to the early 1950's. In January of 1950, Truman asked the National Security Council to investigate what America's new security and defense policy should be. In other words, Truman wanted to decipher the best means to engage his foreign policy. That answer was the controversial NSC-68 document. NSC stands for National Security Council. It was issued in April 14, 1950, yet it was only declassified by 1975. Truman signed it on September 30, 1950. It was one of the most important documents of the Cold War. This document painted a different picture than the scholar George F. Keenan wanted. Keenan resigned in December of 1949 as director of policy planning, since he though that the Truman administration was becoming too hawkish on the Cold War. Keenan focused more on containment to gradually end the influence of the Soviet Union instead of having blatant military confrontation. NSC-68 was a document that had paranoia about the Soviet Union having dreams of world domination and that us Americans need to stop them (even militarily if we have to). NSC-68 was created by famous people like Paul Nitze, who was ironically a successor to Keenan. The document pained a gloomy picture of U.S.-Soviet relations since it views the Soviets as America's mortal enemy. NSC-68 like the PNAC Document opposed military isolationism and wanted America's military to be built up including other countries (This includes aiding the Western Hemisphere militarily, have a mobilization base, have offensive operation to counterbalance the Soviet Union's war making capacity, defend lines of communications, and other proposals). Keenan reject militarization as a means to engage the Cold War and he even opposed the use of the Hydrogen Bomb. Stalin received a copy of NSC-68 via the spy Donald Duart Maclean (whose code name was Homer). He was apart of the Cambridge Five Spy network. The Cambridge Spy network claimed to be anti-fascist, so they sent sensitive information into the Soviet Union. Korea was a big deal in foreign policy since they are very near to Russia and China. Korea was always under the influence of other nations. The U.S. didn't have much interest in Korea in the beginning. In 1910, an already militarily occupied Korea was a forced party to the JapanKorea Annexation Treaty. The treaty was signed by Lee Wan-Yong, who was given the General Power of Attorney by the Emperor. During WWII, Japan ruled Korea in imperalism. After Japan was defeated, the Soviet Union wanted to annex Korea. Even before WWII, Korea was discussed. The Postdam Conference considered the eventual division of Korea. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt had stated a determination for Korean independence and freedom at the Cairo Conference. The Yalta Conference of Febraury 1945, Stalin wanted Russia to have preeminence in China. In 1945, the USSR and America agreed the dividing line of Communists and non-Communists on the 38th Parallel. There was the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in North Korea (head by Kim Il Sung) and the People's Republic of Korea (headed by Syngman Rhee in August 15, 1948). Both men acted as dictators. There were riots, clashes, and chaos in

South Korea. Rhee even won't listen to America. Rhee used harsh military action against the Jeju uprising. The Republic of Korea was recognized by the United Nations via its Resolution 195 on December 12, 1948. American and Russia withdraw their occupation of Korea. Both Rhee and Sung wanted an unified Korea under their system. Yet, chaos in Korea made war inevitable. China and Stalin made agreements that they would send troops and support to North Korea if a war occurs. This enables, North Korea to start the Korean War by invaded South Korea immorally in June 25, 1950 on Sunday. America sees the invasion of South Korea as an example of Soviet aggression. America via Harry Truman called for military aide to South Korea. America goes to the United Nations and the U.N. makes it their primary affair. The United Nations organizes an international force. This force consists of the nations of course America, Australia, etc. in battling North Korea. Some believe that North Korea should be involved in the discussion with the UN on how the UN action should be achieved. North Korea enacted a quick success in the beginning, because they executed a surprise attack. They had about 231,000 troops with tanks capturing key places like Kaesŏng, Chuncheon, Uijeongbu and Ongjin. South Korea forced retreated. The UN intervention was headed by U.S. General Douglas MacArthur as he was appointed as commander of the United Nations forces. Truman still talked with the Secretary of State Dean Acheson on what to do in this Korean war. Truman gave $12 billion for military expenses in Asia as fulfilling the agenda of NSC-68. Truman didn't want unilateral U.S. airstrikes in North Korea, but evacuation of U.S. citizens and military aid to the ROK Army. The combined American and U.S. forces were pulled back into the city of Pusan (at the southeast corner of the peninsula). The Battle of Pusan stopped the North Korea from taking the area. Then, there was the Battle of Incheon. General MacArthur was successful in the battle. He used an ambitious amphibious landing at Incheon. This plan was strongly opposed by the Pentagon, but it was successful. It was called Operation Chromite. The forces used disinformation to make North Korea have light forces in Incheon. That is why U.S. forces had little resistance when they landed and bombings occurred. MacArthur soon recaptured Soeul and then the North Korean rapidly retreated northward. The United Nations drove the North Korean past the 38th parallel. The U.N. forces invaded North Korea in early October of 1950. The Eighth U.S. Army, along with the South Koreans, drove up the western side of Korea and captured Pyongyang on October 19. By the end of October, the North Korean Army was rapidly disintegrating, and the UN took 135,000 prisoners. China was concerned, so they enact a response.

MacArthur wanted to invade China since China supplied North Korean forces. Harry Truman disagreed with this view of invading China and warned MacArthur to be cautious when approaching the Chinese border. Mao and Stalin agreed on sending Chinese forces to fight the U.N/U.S. forces because they didn't want an unified Korea that was non-Communist. Soviets aided little to the Chinese and by November 1, 1950, Chinese forces engaged the American troops in battle. The Chinese forces came suddenly and attacked the U.N. military at all sides. They acted so shift, that one division traveled 18 miles per day in average for 18 days. South Korean (or the ROK or Republic of Korea) and American forces had no choose but to retreat from North Korea. The ensuing defeat of the U.S. Eighth Army resulted in the longest retreat of any American military unit in history. In January 1951, the Chinese and North Korean forces struck again in their 3rd Phase Offensive (also known as the Chinese Winter Offensive). The Chinese repeated their previous tactics of mostly night attacks, with a stealthy approach from positions some distance from the front, followed by a rush with overwhelming numbers, and using trumpets or gongs both for communication and to disorient their foes. Seoul was once again abandoned by UN forces to the communists by January 4, 1951. UN forces continued to retreat until they had reached a line south of Suwon in the west and Wonju in the center, and north of Samchok in the east, where the front stabilized. UN forces came back and conquered Wonju by reaching the Han River. The UN stood off another Chinese Fourth Phase Offensive. MacArthur was removed by President Truman on April 11, 1951 for insubordination. MacArthur wanted to invade China and Truman disagree with him on that proposal. It was a controversy in America and the new supreme commander was Ridgway. Ridgway make counter offensive more effective. The Chinese forces made another Fiflth Phase Offensive in April 1951. This conflict ended at a

stalemate in 1951. Battles continued until a cease fire was established on July 27, 1953. By which time the front line was back around the proximity of the 38th parallel, and so a demilitarized zone (DMZ) was established around it, presently defended by North Korean troops on one side and by South Korean, American and UN troops on the other. The DMZ runs north of the parallel towards the east, and to the south as it travels west. The site of the peace talks, Kaesong, the old capital of Korea, was part of the South before hostilities broke out but is now part of the North. North Korea and the United States signed the Armistice Agreement, with Syngman Rhee refusing to sign. There were deaths and POWs in both sides of the Korean War. New M20 bazooka, modern tanks, anti-tank weapons, etc. were common weaponry in the Korean War. It was the beginning of end of the P-51 Mustang, F4U Corsair, and the Hawker Sea Fury aircraft carrier was utilized in a major war. The American aircraft used the F086 Sabre transonic jet. These jet were more advanced than the Soviet MiG jet systems that the North Korean utilized in the war. The Korean War was the first time a helicopter (like the H-19) was used extensively in warfare. This was a tie among all sides.

Harry Truman was into the elite in many ways. He was a 33rd Degree Freemason from October 19, 1945. He loved the poetry of Tennyson. One of the poem’s were called “Locksley Hall,” which inspired Truman. Truman copied the ten lines form the piece and placed them in his wallet. Truman used the poem as a means to inspire his actions in the negotiations of the Potsdam Conference. This conference dealt with the world order after World War II. The then Federalist Society with its supporters like the late Walter Cronkite

because in global government and global law. Truman’s copied portion included the

following lines: …the war-drums throbb’d no longer, and the battle-flags were furl’d In the Parliament of man, the Federation of the world. (Qutd. in “Eternally safe for democracy: the final solution of American science fiction” 157) So, this portion of the poem wanted a federation of the world, which is similar to the new world order. Truman in fact believed that a new weapon in America would force nations to embrace his world order. President Harry Truman agreed in September 1946 to authorize "Project Paperclip," a program to bring selected German scientists to work on America's behalf during the "Cold War." However, Truman expressly excluded anyone found "to have been a member of the Nazi party and more than a nominal participant in its activities, or an active supporter of Naziism or militarism." Cardinal Spellman and many Knights of Malta support the Operation Paperclip agenda Truman didn‘t want active supporters of Nazism or militarism to be apart of the Project. Sameuel Klaus at first denied visa requests to some of the ardent Nazis. Klaus was on the State Department‘s JOIA board as a representative. JOIA stands for the War Department‘s Joint Intelligence Objectives Agency. The Director of the JOIA was Bosquet Wev. Wev circumvented the via problem by allowing CIA Director Allen Dulles to re writ the dossiers to eliminate the incriminating evidence of the Nazi workers. Military Intelligence "cleansed" the files of Nazi references. By 1955, more than 760 German scientists had been granted citizenship in the U.S. and given prominent positions in the American scientific community. Many had been longtime members of the Nazi party and the Gestapo, had conducted experiments on humans at concentration camps, had used slave labor, and had committed other war crimes. Linda Hunt in the 1986 expose in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists would that more than 130 reports on Project Paperclip subjects have been changed to “…eliminate the security threat classification…” Truman wasn’t aware of the high level Nazis involved in Project Paperclip. Even ex-Nazi chief intelligence officer General Reinhard Gehlen (who was awarded by the Knights of Malta) was a CIA agent. Gehlen gave the USA massive record on the then USSR.

Harry Truman lived to see the creation of the United Nations. Its headquarters of course resides in the shores of New York City. He spoke there to advance the development of the World Health Organization. The history of the world is certainly more mysterious than the naked eye. The Council on Foreign Relations had members that help support the UN Charter. CFR members and elitists like Alger Hiss, John Foster Dulles, Harry Dexter, etc. mapped out the creation of the U.N. Some of these men would be accused of being Communist agents. The UN Charter is similar to the Constitution of the USSR. The United Nations have been one of the most vocal advocates of the new world order, global warming hysteria, and population control. They have been caught in numerous scandals from Rwanda to its peacekeepers abusing women and children (which is wrong and sick). The left establishment have used the corporate-invented United Nations to try to control leftist activists. Thereby, this promotes the phony left/right paradigm when Republicans and Democrats are funded by the same entities (like the Rockefeller Foundation, the Vatican/Jesuit network as found in the health care debate of course, CFR, Bilderbergers, etc.).

Eisenhower wanted a policy for a healthy economy and strong defense. His thinking is much like Kennan viewing the Cold War as a long struggle. They felt that ultimately not capable of defeating America at the time. Ike was confident that the American system was seeing the destruction of Europe. He believes that the U.S. system is superior to the Soviet system and there is no maximum threat to European allies, because of common interests. Eisenhower desired to develop a policy of how to fight the Soviets without war and without damage to the economy. Eisenhower’s new policy was the New Look (including 4 points). These 4 points are: 1). A reduction conventional forces with a reliance of a nuclear determinant. He wants to reduce convention forces since it’s expensive and a bomb is cheaply made. He knew that the Soviet Union didn’t have equivalent military power to America, so he wanted to use nuclear weaponry as a means to deter Soviet Communism. 2). Eisenhower would agree to military, economic and aid agreements with allies and have non-alliance states to make non-alliance nations to go in favor of U.S. policy. Eisenhower didn’t want to fight the Cold War by himself, but he wants to use other nations to help themselves. He had trouble with Congress in trying to pass economic aid. 3). Ike believed in using propaganda and psychological warfare plus clandestine activities (with the CIA) in various countries. He has a military background, so he knew about the

tactics of dirty tricks as a way to fight in the Cold War (He believed this was an advantage, but many of these acts were illegal and immoral). 4). President Dwight D. Eisenhower even was willing to negotiate with the Soviet Union. He have done this in order to peacefully end the Cold War as soon as possible, while covertly defeating the Soviet Union. Keenan accepted much of Eisenhower’s plans except the nuclear part.

The Second Republic of South Korea was created in 1960. Yun Po Sun was elected President in the time of August 13, 1960. The prime minister and head of government was Chang Myon. Under pressure from the left, the Chang government carried out a series of purges of military and police officials who had been involved in anti-democratic activities or corruption. A Special Law to this effect was passed on October 31, 1960. 40,000 people were placed under investigation; of these, more than 2,200 government officials and 4,000 police officers were purged. A military coup ended the Second Republic since they didn't like the cleanup measures undertaken by the Second Republic. Major General Park Chung-hee led the military coup in May 16, 1961. This caused the Third Republic. This Republic normalized relations with Japan in a ratified agreement on August 14, 1965. South Korea's economy grew rapidly in the 1960's. They even sent about 300,000 soldiers to fight alongside U.S. and South Vietnamese troops during the Vietnam War. There were the Fourth and Fifth Republics that increased the economy of North Korea. We live now under the Sixth Republic of South Korea. South Korea is now having tensions with North Korea. North Korea is still headed by Kim King Jong Il. Yet, South Korea is a more freedom filled nation. Certainly, it's good news that the 2 American journalists are now in America from their immoral captivity in North Korea. Bill Clinton was apart of the negotiations to free the 2 women. Their names are Laura Ling who is 32, and Euna Lee, who is 36. Laura Ling is the sister of Lisa Ling from Channel One back in the

1990's. I saw Channel One back when I was in Middle school and high school back in the mid to late 1990's. I don't agree with President Clinton on every issue, but freeing the 2 women was the right thing to do. I’ve intentionally shown the picture of Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver Hines Ward with other people there. The reason is that like in America, South Korea has many prejudice people against interracial children. Ward is a person with African American and Korean background. He came into South Korea to promote adoption of biracial children and respect for any children regardless of their background. This is what I have in mind when I created this work about Korea. All human beings whether they are interracial or not have equal value and deserve equal rights without oppression or bigotry. Ward said: “…"If the country can accept me for who I am and accept me for being a Korean, I'm pretty sure that this country can change and accept you for who you are." On his final day in Korea, he donated $1 million USD to create the Hines Ward Helping Hands Foundation, which the AP called "a foundation to help mixed-race children like himself in South Korea, where they have suffered discrimination." We know the truth and we know the lesson that being born is a blessing from God. No human should be treated any different than another human.

Religious Liberty Suppression in North Korea Roger Williams is a famous leader and inspirations for those who love religious liberty.

Rhode Island Senator William Sprague watched in the US Capitol in 1872 as a statue of Roger Williams was presented there. Sprague said that Williams: “…successfully vindicated the right of private judgement in matters of conscience, and effected a moral and political revolution in all governments of the civilized world…” Roger Williams wanted freedom of conscience, so he founded the colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in 1636. I don’t agree with plantations though. This place was deeded to him by the Narragansett Native Americans. Rhode Island was a place of religious refuse with the first Jewish synagogue created there and a sanctuary for Quakers (who were killed and persecuted in Massachusetts plus other colonies). Roger was exiled by from Salem in Massachusetts because of his theological views. His exile wasn’t repealed until 1936 when the Massachusetts House passed Bill 488, ending 300 years of exile. Roger Williams wanted his European settlers to respect the land claims of Native Americans, live with them, and trade with them as neighbors. Roger's first book was entitled A Key to The Language of America, which featured a language-translation guide teaching Europeans how to communicate with the Native Americans — a primary precondition for peaceful association. Unfortunately the majority of Europeans in that time preferred extermination over translation. Some Native Americans made land claims in the area. He was against forced conversion of anyone since that violated Christian principles. He influenced the developed of the Bill of Rights, which is filled the promotion of individual liberty and religious freedom. Roger Williams also advanced the idea of political democracy, and not the merging of church and state (He felt that the government shouldn’t control people’s religious faiths or beliefs). Even in the 21st century in America, religious threats exist. One extreme of the spectrum has groups like the ACLU that some of its members wants public religious expression to be severely restricted. This is one area where they are most hypocritical. They oppose tax exemptions for all churches, but fight for them for Wiccans. They are against Christianity in school, but oddly remain silent as some of our children are taught to be or act as Muslims. The ACLU was founded by Roger Baldwin, who supported socialism and communism once (until he changed his mind). The ACLU’s policy of Number 47 doesn’t believe in the individual right to bear arms, which is the concept behind the essence of the Second Amendment. The ACLU’s policy # 47 states that: “…The ACLU agrees with the Supreme Court’s long-standing interpretation of the Second Amendment [as set forth in the 1939 case, U.S. v. Miller] that the individual’s right to bear arms applies only to the preservation or efficiency of a well-regulated militia. Except for lawful police and military purposes, the possession of weapons by individuals is not constitutionally protected. Therefore, there is no constitutional impediment to the regulation of firearms…” The ACLU is pro-abortion and rarely defends the free speech rights of Pro-Life citizens. As legislative counsel for the ACLU in 1985, Barry Lynn told the U.S. Attorney General’s Commission on Pornography (of which Focus on the Family President Dr. James C. Dobson was a member) that child pornography was protected by the First Amendment. While production of child porn could be prevented by law, he argued, its distribution could not be. Of course, child pornography is evil. The ACLU is right to oppose the Patriot Act, defend the liberties of detainees, and oppose torture though. Some of the leaders of the ACLU are members of the Council on Foreign Relations.

The other end of the spectrum has something different. The CNP (on the other end of the spectrum) have used secession fever as an excuse to try to balkanize Americans. This has been proven conclusively by Paul and Philip D. Collins. The DHS document of course demonized pro-lifers, those against illegal immigrations, 2nd Amendment proponents, those who disagree with globalism, conservatives, libertarians, etc. as equivalent to terrorists. This is found in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Intelligence Assessment entitled “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment.” That document was wrong of course. This document ironically existed from the previous Bush administration. This certainly proves that some in the government (which make up of the elite) desire to suppress opposition whether they are from the left or the right. The ACLU’s leadership is heavily infiltrated by the Council on Foreign Relations with ties to the Rockefeller Foundation. Those neo-Confederates and secessionists allied with the CNP want disunity in America. The CNP or the Council on National Policy had members since its inception connected with the Vatican and the Council on Foreign relations (like Arnaud de Borchgrave, Edward Teller, Guy Vander Jagt, and J. Peter Grace). They act as controlled opposition in attempting to infiltrate conservatives and restrict independent actions to solve our problems in the U.S. One CNP founding member was Rev. R.J. Rushdoony. Rushdonny was not only an apologist for the Confederacy. He advocated segregation and he opposed interracial marriage (which even the Bible doesn't forbid it. There is nothing wrong with interracial marriage or marriage among people of the same ethnic group or race either). Rushdoony believes in a theocratic empire in America. He (when he venerates the Confederacy. He supports the heresy of Reconstruction theology) ignores that both the Union and the Confederacy committed war crimes against each other. Also, although slavery wasn't the only reason why the Civil War occurred, but slavery was a major one. Confederate states issued statements that they wanted slavery to continue and that was one crucial reason why they seceded from the Union. Mississippi joined South Carolina on January 9, 1861. In “A Declaration of the Immediate Causes which Induce and Justify the Secession of the State of Mississippi from the Federal Union,” the state declared that they wanted the institution of slavery to be maintained. Thank God that institutional slavery is banned in America. God had the final word in the Civil War. In the North and the South, there were God fearing human beings, but you can't justify treating human beings as less than human (as was done in slavery). Even CNP member and Knight of Columbus Alan Keyes said that Obama will cause America to be in a civil war if he's not stopped. This rhetoric is sick to say the least. CNP founding member Howard Phillips is a big figure in Constitution Party even. Some CNP members have intelligence connections. CNP member Viguerie has deep ties to the Intelligence Community. Viguerie was a member of Korean intelligence agent Tongsun Park’s Georgetown Club. Park was a major player in the Koreagate scandal that shook Congress in the 1970s. Viguerie was collaborating with Park and the Korean CIA at the time. The balkanization of America has been proposed by elitists and professors for years. The CFR promotes Regionalism where the world is divided into Regions, while national

sovereignty is depleted. It is certainly better to solve our problems peacefully than have some civil war in America. So, we should not support our federal government unconditionally, while at the same time we should never support balkanization (plus extreme rhetoric for the sake of political issues).

Religious Liberty issues is a global issue not just in America. Activists claim that a Christian woman was executed in North Korea. North Korea publicly executed a Christian woman last month for distributing the Bible. That is banned in the communist nation according to South Korean activists. Ri Hyon Ok is 33 and was accused of spying for South Korea and the United States (including organizing dissidents). She was executed in the northwestern city of Tyongchon near the border with China on June 16 according to a report from an alliance of several dozen anti-North Korea groups. Ri's parents, husband, and 3 children were sent to a political prison camp. This camp is located in the northeastern city of Hoeryong the following day according to the report. It cited unidentified documents saying that these documents were obtained from North Korea. It showed a copy of Ri's North Korea government issued photo ID. It's impossible to verify these reports about the secretive nation of North Korea since the government tightly controls the lives of its citizens and doesn't allow dissent. On Thursday, an annual report from a state run South Korean think tank on human rights in the north said that public executions, though dropping in number in recent years, North Korea still carried out these executions because of crimes ranging from murder to circulating foreign movies. North Korea lies about claiming to guarantee the freedom of religion for its 24 million people. The reality is that it restricts religious observances heavily. The cult of personality surrounding the national founder Kim II Sun and his son (the current leader Kim Jong II) is a virtual state religion. The government only authorized 4 state churches. They are one Catholic, 2 Protestant ones,

and one Russian Orthodox. They cater to foreigners, but ordinary North Koreans can't attend these religious places. However, defectors and activists say more than 30,000 North Koreans are believed to practice Christianity secretly. That's a violation of religious liberty for those North Koreans. Do Hee-youn, who is a leading activist said that North Korea view Christian forces as a threat and they have done public executions (including the arrest and detention of North Koreans as being prevalent). The Investigative Commission on Crime against Humanity allege in its report that in March that North Korean security agents arrested Seo Kum Ok (who is 30 years old). Ok is another Christian near Ryongchon and the North Korean authorities tortured her. The agents alleged that she was attempting to spy on a nuclear site and hand over the evidence to South Korea and the U.S. (when there is no conclusive evidence for this). The report said that it remain unclear if she survived or not. Her husband and 2 children disappeared as well. This is tyranny in the 21st century. The commission said that it was seeking to try to take North Korean leader Kim to the International Criminal Court over alleged crimes against humanity. Activists believe that Kim Jong Il must of knew about the atrocities occurring in his country, which includes murder, kidnapping, rape, and extermination of people in prison camps. North Korea should reform itself. I don't believe in invading a nation, but speaking out against this evil going on in North Korea is a legitimate thing to do. This doesn’t mean that North Korea can’t change. History proves that nations can wake up and make freedoms more acceisble to people. America is a perfect example of that reality. Religious liberty should be promoted worldwide.

By Timothy