Lefkowitz Interviewed
(Via Korea Liberator) THe Dong-A Ilbo interviews the US Special Envoy to North Korea. Here is a couple of quotes that I find revealing
“Korea could have triggered bigger changes in North Korea by utilizing its enormous influence on North Korea that was developed through economic investment, and humanitarian aid. Though the Gaesong industrial complex project is currently underway, the Korean government should feel responsibility for issues of North Korean workers’ protection, rights, and payment of wages.”
Rights. Now there’s a concept a lot of Korean politicians cannot seem to grasp.
-There are controversies over bread and freedom. A few days ago, the election in Republic of Belarus gave the impression that its people chose bread. Progressive groups in Korea also say that for hungry people, it is premature to discuss freedom.
“It seems that people of Belarus chose bread over freedom. But without freedom, it is difficult for a society to sustain itself. A dictator may feed his people right now. But he can change his mind anytime.”
It is a question of what you want. Do you want to be fed, or do you want to have the right to feed yourself. In my opinion, human rights and dependency are not compatable.
