Seoul returns six North Koreans with 'strong desire' to go back (www.bbc.com)
from Davriellelouna@lemmy.world to world@lemmy.world on 09 Jul 10:09
https://lemmy.world/post/32699531

#world

threaded - newest

Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world on 09 Jul 11:20 next collapse

I hear life in South Korea is pretty bleak these days. But is it really worse than a North Korean gulag?

MrMakabar@slrpnk.net on 09 Jul 13:36 next collapse

The stories are, that your family will be punished horribly, if you escape.

ILikeTraaaains@lemmy.world on 09 Jul 14:11 collapse

I saw a video about a support group for NK defectors in SK.

The main reasons for some people regret leaving NK were:

  • They were born and raised in a rural environment without any technology and in SK you must know to use a digital device for almost all jobs.
  • They miss family, friends, their environment, etc. They are now in a very strange place without the people from their lives.
  • Some are treated as second class citizens, targeted cause being tech illiterate and having a noticeable different accent.
Gsus4@mander.xyz on 09 Jul 23:48 collapse

So it’s almost like time travel…

NoneOfUrBusiness@fedia.io on 09 Jul 11:53 next collapse

They're going straight to the gulag aren't they?

ms_lane@lemmy.world on 09 Jul 13:27 next collapse

Probably not, they’ll be watched for the rest of their lives but might also live pretty well, they’ll be paraded around as examples of why leaving isn’t even worth it, these people tasted the outside and ‘came back to beautiful best korea’

Gates9@sh.itjust.works on 10 Jul 01:45 collapse
JustJack23@slrpnk.net on 09 Jul 13:34 next collapse

Oh it’s almost like all we hear about north Korea is propaganda…

blackris@discuss.tchncs.de on 09 Jul 15:12 next collapse

Visit, have a nice holiday there. Send us pictures.

Rolder@reddthat.com on 09 Jul 16:02 next collapse

I hear they are opening that beach front tourist spot right? Sounds like a good time to visit. Maybe explore the rest of the country while you’re there

Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz on 09 Jul 16:14 next collapse

If I did, I’d be arrested. By America. Because its illegal for american citizens to travel there without state department approval.

hanrahan@slrpnk.net on 10 Jul 00:39 collapse

Land of the free huh :)

JustJack23@slrpnk.net on 09 Jul 18:11 collapse

youtu.be/2BO83Ig-E8E

Full disclosure the channel is left leaning, and I do not agree with all they say, but they have cool videos.

deegeese@sopuli.xyz on 09 Jul 16:03 next collapse

Go there for a warm bier and tell us how your trip was.

LesserAbe@lemmy.world on 09 Jul 21:02 collapse

You should watch the documentary “Under the Sun”. North Korea agreed to let the director film with the understanding he would follow their directions, almost to the point of following a script. However he secretly kept filming. It’s pretty fascinating. imdb.com/title/tt5129818/

ICastFist@programming.dev on 09 Jul 13:55 collapse

If I’d had the chance to speak with them, I would have told them the truth [about inter-Korean history] and warned them that they could eventually face punishment from the North Korean regime, simply because they had already experienced life in the South" says Mr Lee

Given the rest of the article, it seems that the current SK president is trying to play nice with NK and isn’t exposing these drifters to historical facts. I still doubt they and their families will have a good time back home.