Having seen the footage of protestors trying to extinguish the flame, I have come to the conclusion that North Korean activists should avoid using the tactics employed by the Pro-Tibet protesters, which is the opposite from OFK’s conclusion. While the overall strategy of embarrassing China is sound, I cannot imagine any sympathy from Chinese people from these pics. I have to agree with the ESWN author that those issues are probably not going to mainstream for awhile.

One of the biggest mistake I see in the North Korean human rights movement is that it remains a Korean-centric movement. Considering that northeast China is ground zero, I do not understand why no one tries to engage Chinese people. It seems the only time a Chinese person ever attends a LiNK event is when I’m there. I am not asking them to set up shop in the mainland. But there are about 40 million Chinese living overseas many with ties back to the country. And the Falun Gong can attest, Hong Kong is a pretty good place to set things up.

I cannot find a single reason why the Chinese would support repatriating North Korean refugees other than the fact that most of them do not know it is happening. So rather than marginalize Chinese people to the cause, it is more helpful to engage them.

South Korea, with its power and wealth, decides to challenge North Korea’s human rights record like a web designing blogger from Jersey

South Korea is reported to be planning to challenge North Korea on its human rights record, indicating a harder line from Seoul’s new government.

Reports quoting unnamed officials say the South is set to vote for a draft UN resolution expressing deep concern over the rights violations in the North.

The South has frequently abstained from such votes, fearful of souring relations with its communist neighbour.

The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva will consider the resolution this week.

The South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo quoted an official as saying the new government, which took charge in February, regards human rights as “a universal value”.

“The government will show the first example of concrete action in the upcoming UNHRC vote,” the official said.

Really? And the report puts criticize in quotations? Well, it’s a small step forward but if a certain blogger from Jersey were South Korea’s president, a little more than will happen than bringing it up at a meeting.

The vbs videos shows how to get a guided tour of Pyongyang. However, for around $50 a head, there is an unofficial tour of Ujeok island

Dandong is a Chinese border city situated at the mouth of the Apnok (or Yalu) River. When the night comes, Shinuiju, the North Korean city opposite Dandong, is shrouded in darkness while Dandong twinkles with bright neon lights. Here, people from both Koreas mingle: there are a restaurant run by the North Korean government, hideouts for North Korean refugees, South Korean businessmen, senior members of the North Korean Workers’ Party who are visiting on business, and many more.

Torrential rains had been falling for a week when a Chosun Ilbo news team arrived in Dandong. It was Aug. 9, 2007, on a special tour program called “human safari.” The program provided a rare chance for the news team to take a close look at residents on Ujeok Islet, a North Korean island in the Apnok River. The boatman raised his thumb, saying, “It’ll be worth your money.”

The charge for a group of four was 800 yuan (approximately W114,000, US$1=W1,010). Passengers also had to buy some 800 yuan worth of food and other goods. “The more cigarettes, sausage and juice you bring, the more you can enjoy your sightseeing,” the boatman said. “This tour is most popular among Chinese tourists.” When the boat reached the midpoint of the river, we could see two North Korean naval vessels lying at anchor 50 m ahead of us. We clearly saw North Korean flags fluttering on them.