So, North Korea has been in the news more than usual lately, and for (mostly) valid reason. But the media tends to really emphasize some details that are perhaps not so helpful when it comes to human rights crises. So what has actually been happening?
Well, North Korea has been in the news more than usual lately, and for (mostly) valid reason.
First and foremost is the really good news, which is being talked about quite a lot:
Jeffrey Fowle, one of three Americans being detained in North Korea, was released as of late last night! No one is saying much about the circumstances, but his cause was one that many believed to be lost, and now he is coming home. There has been no new information on Matthew Miller and Kenneth Bae, the other two men detained with him.
Fowle’s release was unexpected, and welcomed. However, the North Korean government’s reasoning remains for the most part unknown.
A lot of other events have been taking place as well, though. The general media is right that there are a many reasons to talk about North Korea right now.
A few weeks ago, Kim Jong Un sort of disappeared for a bit. I say “sort of” in that there was never an official report about it, and he did come back a short while later. Since his return he has been using a cane to walk and has complained about troubles with his legs. There are many, many rumors that he is no longer as in control of North Korea as he would like to be, but I think it’s safe to assume that not a whole lot has changed in terms of policy.
Another development, slightly less related to human rights but still relevant, did come out of the UN meeting: North Korea expressed at one point that they might be willing to negotiate their own nuclear power. However, that option is no longer on the table. After some lengthy discussions, Kim Jong Un finally declared that he has absolutely no intention of giving up their nuclear status.
So what does this mean for causes like Think North Korea?
Our main goal hasn’t changed, nor have the circumstances that created that goal. We are still pushing for human rights reforms. We have no reason to think that conditions have improved in North Korea, with regard to the North Korean people, even if they did release an American.
None of this really affects our cause in terms of what we are doing. We are a local group, so most of what we do is centered around raising awareness of the crisis, especially when so much of the world is focusing on things like the nuclear weaponry talks.
We will keep doing much of what we have been doing. If more situations develop or spark up, you can count on some updates. But for the most part?
These new developments are just more reasons why North Korea needs to improve its human rights, and why we need to keep finding ways to get people out. The country is in a unique place right now, and it’s not exactly the most stable it has ever been. With the potentially shaky leadership as of now, North Korea is nearing a turning point for its future as a country. Right now, it is especially necessary to push for reforms, to raise awareness, and to do what we can.
It is also an imperative to raise money, and to get people out, because the less stable a country gets, the worse the already-horrific human rights situation gets.
Remember, you can always purchase a rescue certificate, or just donate. Even the smallest bit helps!
Think North Korea 
YO THEY RELEASED THE OTHER 2 AMERICANS….THIS IS INCREDIBLE.